Royal Navy Successfully Tests Proteus, Its First Full-Size Autonomous Anti-Submarine Helicopter

The Royal Navy successfully tested its first full-size autonomous helicopter, which poses a threat to any submarines lying in the North Atlantic. Proteus, Leonardo’s technology demonstrator, flew for the first time on January 16, 2026, at the Predannack airport in Cornwall.

This autonomous helicopter was created as part of a £60 million program that has brought much-needed funds and jobs to Yeovil, including about 100 skilled jobs. Proteus, based on Leonardo’s proven AW09 design, weighs three tonnes, can carry a one-tonne payload, and has a top speed of 140 knots, which is roughly comparable to 161 miles per hour. It also features a five-hour endurance rating and a very helpful payload storage, which lets you to swap out the kit for a new mission at any time. So, sonobuoys can be dropped into the water to detect submarines, maritime search radar can scan the sea surface, and you can simply plug in whatever sensors or communications equipment you need.

This helicopter’s primary function is anti-submarine warfare, as it helps find and track subs by feeding data into a network that allows all crewed ships, subs, helicopters, and detection gear to share intelligence and figure out where the subs are and what to do about it, all while putting no one in harm’s way.

Autonomy here means it can do everything on its own, thanks to smart sensors and software. This all fits nicely with the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Air Wing concept, which combines unmanned and crewed assets to provide the Navy with far greater flexibility and reach at sea. This Atlantic Bastion plan aims to use all available technology to protect the North Atlantic, North Sea, and Arctic seas from any underwater dangers.
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