At DSEI in London, Leonardo UK showcased its prototype Proteus, an aircraft designed to test and demonstrate autonomous capabilities in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
The company made it clear that the current fuselage is just a low-cost testbed, while the real breakthrough is in the autonomy software, which is capable of planning routes, avoiding threats, collaborating with other aircraft, and carrying out missions without constant human intervention.
Nigel Colman, Executive Director of Helicopters at Leonardo, linked the project to the Royal Navy’s strategy of operating manned aircraft only when necessary and prioritizing unmanned systems whenever possible.
Synthetic tests showed three Proteus aircraft detecting submarines, sharing information, and distributing tasks collaboratively, proving that autonomy is already working in practice. Colman emphasized that the real innovation lies in the “brain” of the system, which has been validated in simulations and has already impressed Royal Navy officials.
The fuselage shown in the prototype, according to the company, does not represent the final product but allows for the safe and cost-effective testing of technologies, including modularity for different mission types such as anti-submarine, search and rescue, ISR, and early warning.
The project is also seen as a response to the need to reduce costs and limit human effort in naval operations, enabling unmanned systems to remain in operation longer without the limits of crew fatigue. Colman stressed that the value lies in the autonomous software, which can be applied to different platforms, from the small Wildcat to the AW101.
Leonardo also highlights that the project is sovereign, exportable, and part of a broader naval aviation modernization strategy, with autonomy as a central technology for the future of the fleet.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @LDO_Helicopters | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Developed in Yeovil – the Home of British Helicopters – by @Leonardo_UK, @DefenceES and the @RoyalNavy, the Proteus Technology Demonstrator is helping to define how Large Autonomous Vertical Take-Off and Landing Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (VTOL UAS) can work alongside crewed… pic.twitter.com/sUVmBXfpil
— Leonardo Helicopters (@LDO_Helicopters) September 10, 2025
