Autonomous, Modular, Collaborative
Leonardo have been working with the UK MOD for over a decade to prove that Large Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) UAS can contribute to the delivery of military maritime effect. The RWUAS CCD Phase 3A Programme is the latest development in this programme designed to deliver a c3 tonne Technology Demonstrator Aircraft also known as ‘Proteus’ aiming to take flight in 2025. Proteus represents a landmark collaboration between Leonardo, the Royal Navy, and the UK MOD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Future Capability Innovation (FCI) team. Poised to showcase innovations in autonomy, payload modularity, and interchangeability, the programme looks to advance cutting-edge rotorcraft technologies, including novel design and manufacturing techniques.
Missions & Features
Redefining Cost and Versatility
Proteus is pivotal to the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATx) strategy, which outlines the evolution of maritime aviation until 2040. The strategy prioritises the delivery of effect using uncrewed systems wherever possible and crewed platforms where necessary, thereby increasing operational capacity at sea and enhancing anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Drawing extensively on Leonardo's helicopter portfolio, the development of Proteus has been accelerated while minimising associated costs. The aircraft also serves as an autonomous testbed, pushing advancements in flight control algorithms for VTOL aircraft.
Proteus is designed with a large modular payload bay to accommodate two standard NATO Pallets. This flexibility allows the operator to integrate mission-specific payloads for various operations, such as anti-submarine warfare, airborne early warning or intra-theatre lift. With this multi-role design, a single aircraft type can address multiple mission objectives cost-effectively.
Advanced Technology and Safety
Leonardo have developed a digital twin of the autonomous Proteus helicopter, an advanced computer simulation of the aircraft. This enables flight simulation and testing of mission capabilities within a synthetic environment. This digital twin enables the testing, modification, and validation of systems before moving to live aircraft trials.
This approach significantly reduces cost, risk and accelerates the development process in comparison to traditional rotorcraft programmes. Our aerospace engineers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to develop mission control algorithms. These algorithms enable an array of autonomous functionalities including advanced flight planning, which ensures adaptability in rapidly changing operational scenarios including denied environments.
These capabilities make Proteus excel in the maritime theatre, particularly in the submarine warfare domain. With the potential for multiple aircraft to be managed by a single operator, the development of Proteus marks a transformative advance in addressing modern mission challenges maximising combat mass.