Proteus Unmanned Submarine-Hunting Helicopter

The Royal Navy is set to begin trials for the unmanned Proteus drone, designed by Leonardo for anti-submarine warfare. This autonomous drone, powered by a hydrogen engine, weighs three tonnes and can carry a one-tonne payload. The £60 million project, initiated in 2022, will see the first test flight in mid-2025. The Proteus features a modular mission bay for swapping payloads or fuel, enhancing its versatility for various missions, including supply runs and complex anti-submarine tasks. The Proteus program, part of the Royal Navy’s maritime aviation transformation, utilizes advanced technologies like 3D printing, composites, AI, and machine learning to reduce costs and accelerate development. The aircraft will be produced in Yeovil, alongside other anti-submarine helicopters like the Merlin and the Wildcat. If successful, the Proteus will offer operational superiority and cost-effective solutions in maritime operations until 2040.