COULD this autonomous flying helicopter with no passengers onboard be the future for UK defence?
The Proteus Technology Demonstrator has taken to the skies, marking the UK’s first autonomous full-size helicopter flight.
And it could one day be used for underwater vessel tracking and sea patrols amid rising North Atlantic tensions.
The self-flying chopper swaps the traditional cockpit and pilot for sensors and intelligent computer systems that can understand and process its surroundings, make decisions, and act accordingly.
It was designed and built by aerospace, defence and security firm Leonardo as a demonstrator for the Royal Navy.
The demonstration is intended to show how uncrewed systems like this can operate alongside traditional crewed aircraft in a future hybrid air wing.
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It could also support anti-submarine operations as part of the Atlantic Bastion strategy, the Royal Navy’s recently announced plan for defending the North Atlantic against rising Russian undersea threats.
It would do all this while drawing on information from a network of allied ships, helicopters, submarines and detection systems to hunt vessels beneath the waves.
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And it’s able to carry a range of equipment to carry out missions in challenging weather conditions, such as high sea and wind states.
The Proteus Technology Demonstrator was manufactured in Yeovil under a £60million programme supporting 100 highly-skilled British jobs.
A number of drones are already used by the Royal Navy, such as Malloy octocopters and Peregrine, a scaled-down helicopter which conducts surveillance duties.
However, Proteus dwarfs them in terms of size, complexity and their ability to work autonomously.
“Proteus represents a step-change in how maritime aviation can deliver persistence, adaptability and reach – conducting the dull, dirty and dangerous missions in challenging environments without putting human operators at risk,” said Nigel Colman, UK managing director of Leonardo Helicopters.
During its first flight, Proteus was tasked with a short test routine.
The aircraft operated its own flying controls independently without any human operator, all while under constant supervision and monitoring by test pilots on the ground to ensure flight safety.
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, added: “This maiden flight is a proud moment for British innovation.
“Designed and built in Yeovil, Proteus supports skilled UK jobs while helping deliver the hybrid navy outlined in our Strategic Defence Review.
“Autonomous systems like this will be vital in protecting our seas without putting personnel in harm’s way.”
