Overview
- During the sorties, the full-size rotorcraft ran its own flight controls without a pilot onboard, with test pilots supervising from the ground.
- Trials were conducted from Predannack airfield at the National Drone Hub after December ground testing at Leonardo’s Yeovil site.
- The platform is conceived for anti-submarine warfare, sea patrols and underwater vessel tracking as part of plans for a hybrid naval air wing.
- Designed for demanding conditions, Proteus can carry payloads exceeding one tonne to support sensors or mission equipment.
- The £60 million programme supports about 100 skilled jobs and will now progress to further flight testing and exploration of Royal Navy and NATO integration.