The Proteus crew-less helicopter has been designed at Leonardo, Yeovil. Pictures: Leonardo

Next-gen crew-less helicopter completes ground tests in Yeovil

Paul JonesDecember 3, 20250 Comment0

GROUND trials of the latest crew-less helicopters destined to be used by the Royal Navy have been completed in Somerset.

Engineers at Leonardo successfully completed ‘ground trials’ of the next-generation aircraft before it takes to the skies.

Senior officers and experts from the MoD were invited to Leonardo’s Yeovil site to see Proteus ‘ground running’, so that they could witness the leading-edge technology first-hand and understand how programming and AI will be key to the helicopter’s success.

The size of a traditional helicopter, the three-tonne Proteus has a windowless exterior, with pilots controlling the craft remotely, rather than sitting in the cockpit.

During the ground runs, the futuristic helicopter tested her engines, systems and rotor blades, confirming its readiness for flight in the coming weeks.

The Proteus crew-less helicopter has been designed at Leonardo, Yeovil. Pictures: Leonardo

Proteus has been designed and manufactured in less than two-and-a-half years at Leonardo in Yeovil as part of a £60 million programme, as the first step towards a truly autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft in the weight class.

It is hoped the helicopter will help designers and the Royal Navy understand what might be possible for the future of uncrewed aircraft, including exploring how they will operate, either individually or in tandem with crewless and crewed aircraft as part of a ‘hybrid air wing’.

While Proteus isn’t flown by a pilot, the technology demonstrator always has an operator in control of the system, operating within predesignated safe limits and customer defined rules of engagement, Leonardo said.

“It’s been a huge pleasure to work with Leonardo and across Defence, as one team to deliver Proteus,” said Captain David Gillett, head of Maritime Aviation and Carrier Strike in the Royal Navy’s Develop Directorate.

“It combines cutting-edge technology, the experience of recent conflicts and has enormous potential to shape the Royal Navy’s future hybrid air wing.”

Nigel Colman, MD Helicopters UK, Leonardo, added: “Leonardo is leading the way globally in autonomy, supported by the Royal Navy. Proteus is equipped with cutting-edge onboard software capabilities, carrying a suite of sensors and systems that allow it to sense its environment, make decisions and act accordingly.”