On January 16, 2026, the British Royal Navy and Leonardo UK completed the first autonomous flight of the Proteus full-size unmanned helicopter at Predannack Airfield in Cornwall. The event marks the initial airborne validation of a large autonomous rotary-wing aircraft intended to operate alongside crewed platforms in future UK naval aviation. Read full defense news at this link...
 |
| The name Proteus refers to the shape-shifting sea god of Greek mythology, chosen to reflect the helicopter’s modular design and its ability to adapt to multiple maritime missions and roles through reconfigurable payloads and autonomous behaviors. (Picture source: Leonardo) |