Leonardo Unveils Proteus Technology Demonstrator Aircraft Design

Leonardo, in collaboration with Royal Navy and the UK MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Future Capability Innovation (FCI) team unveiled the design of the Proteus technology demonstrator aircraft.

Proteus will demonstrate the viability of larger uncrewed systems in maritime environments, including testing flight control laws and algorithms for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) operations.

According to Leonardo, Proteus is a three-tonne uncrewed rotorcraft designed to advance autonomy, payload modularity, and interchangeability, while developing new rotorcraft technologies.it features the AW09’s shrouded anti-torque system and five-bladed main rotor.

Proteus supports the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATx) strategy, which covers the evolution of maritime aviation out to 2040,focusing on increasing operational capability at sea and enhancing support for anti-submarine warfare missions.

A key feature of Proteus is its modular payload bay, allowing for interchangeable payloads to perform various missions like at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft uses digital twin and composite materials, to accelerate development and reduce costs.

Additionally, Leonardo has created a ‘digital twin’ of the Proteus demonstrator, using AI and Machine Learning in a synthetic environment to test and refine capabilities without live trials. This approach accelerates development, reduces costs, and supports the use of innovative manufacturing methods in rotorcraft production.

Proteus is being developed through the UK Ministry of Defence’s £60 million ($75 million) Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System Technology Demonstration Program. The first flight of the Proteus demonstrator is expected in mid-2025, following the contract award in June 2022