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| {{Short description|Uncrewed rotorcraft}} | {{Short description|Uncrewed rotorcraft}} | ||
| {{Orphan|date=January 2025}} | |||
| {{Infobox aircraft | {{Infobox aircraft | ||
| | name = Proteus | | name = Proteus | ||
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| ==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| In August 2013, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) placed a two-year contract with AugustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters) worth £2.3 |
In August 2013, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) placed a two-year contract with AugustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters) worth £2.3 million to develop its Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RWUAS) concept, which is funded through its Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead programme. An SW-4 Solo uncrewed rotorcraft, a derivative of the ] helicopter, was used for trials and experimentation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stevenson |first1=Beth |title=AUVSI 2013: Royal Navy selects AgustaWestland for RWUAS |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/auvsi-2013-royal-navy-selects-agustawestland-rwuas/ |access-date=12 January 2025 |date=13 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Polish SW-4 Solo to Assist Royal Navy Rotary-Wing UAS (RWUAS) Study |url=https://www.suasnews.com/2013/09/polish-sw-4-solo-to-assist-royal-navy-rotary-wing-uas-rwuas-study/ |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=sUAS News}}</ref> The MOD had previously considered the US Navy's ] but ruled it out as it " not meet any endorsed UK capability need".<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview of military drones used by the UK armed forces |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06493/SN06493.pdf |website=House of Commons |access-date=12 January 2025}}</ref> A phase two contract, worth £8 million, jointly funded by Leonardo and the MOD, was signed in 2017 to continue development.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rotary Wing uncrewed Air System: Leonardo & UK MoD launch Phase 2 of the (RWUAS) Demonstrator Programme |url=https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/rotary-wing-unmanned-air-system-leonardo-uk-mod-launch-phase-2-of-the-rwuas-demonstrator-programme |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Leonardo |date=28 February 2017}}</ref> A four-year contract worth £60 million was signed in July 2022 to develop a flyable three-tonne technology demonstrator, named Proteus, with the work to be carried out in Yeovil, England.<ref>{{cite news |title=The future of UK uncrewed military VTOL technology is secure onshore as MOD gives green light to Leonardo for "Proteus" demonstration flight |url=https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/21-07-2022-the-future-of-uk-uncrewed-military-vtol-technology-is-secure-onshore-as-mod-gives-green-light-to-leonardo-for-proteus-demonstration-flight |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Leonardo |date=21 July 2022}}</ref> | ||
| The final design of Proteus was revealed in January 2025. Its airframe is derived from the ] single-engine light helicopter and shares its shrouded anti-torque system and five-bladed rotor. It is designed to carry modular payloads which can be interchanged to meet different mission requirements, such as at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare. It was developed through the use of a ] and artificial intelligence, with more than 40 components manufactured using ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Leonardo unveils British Navy Proteus rotary wing UAS final design |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/leonardo-unveils-british-navy-proteus-rotary-wing-uas-final-design/#:~:text=Proteus%20sits%20under%20a%20four,of%20Defence%20in%20July%202022. |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Breaking Defense |date=7 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leonardo Unveils AW09-Inspired Proteus UAS Demonstrator |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/leonardo-unveils-aw09-inspired-proteus-uas-demonstrator |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=] |date=7 January 2025}}</ref> Whilst it is being primarily developed for the Royal Navy, it will also be focused on exportability.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ultra-futuristic 'uncrewed' aircraft to be built in Somerset by Leonardo Helicopters |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/ultra-futuristic-uncrewed-aircraft-built-8787478 |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Somerset Live |date=29 September 2023}}</ref> | The final design of Proteus was revealed in January 2025. Its airframe is derived from the ] single-engine light helicopter and shares its shrouded anti-torque system and five-bladed rotor. It is designed to carry modular payloads which can be interchanged to meet different mission requirements, such as at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare. It was developed through the use of a ] and artificial intelligence, with more than 40 components manufactured using ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Leonardo unveils British Navy Proteus rotary wing UAS final design |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/leonardo-unveils-british-navy-proteus-rotary-wing-uas-final-design/#:~:text=Proteus%20sits%20under%20a%20four,of%20Defence%20in%20July%202022. |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Breaking Defense |date=7 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leonardo Unveils AW09-Inspired Proteus UAS Demonstrator |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/leonardo-unveils-aw09-inspired-proteus-uas-demonstrator |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=] |date=7 January 2025}}</ref> Whilst it is being primarily developed for the Royal Navy, it will also be focused on exportability.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ultra-futuristic 'uncrewed' aircraft to be built in Somerset by Leonardo Helicopters |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/ultra-futuristic-uncrewed-aircraft-built-8787478 |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Somerset Live |date=29 September 2023}}</ref> | ||
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Revision as of 16:04, 12 January 2025
Uncrewed rotorcraft | This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (January 2025) |
| Proteus | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo Helicopters |
| Status | In Development |
| Primary user | Royal Navy |
| History | |
| First flight | Mid-2025 (planned) |
The Leonardo Proteus is an uncrewed rotorcraft developed by Leonardo Helicopters for the Royal Navy. A technology demonstrator aircraft is currently being developed and manufactured at the company's site in Yeovil, England with a first flight planned for mid-2025. The design features a modular payload bay which can be interchanged to meet different mission requirements, such as at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare.
Overview
In August 2013, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) placed a two-year contract with AugustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters) worth £2.3 million to develop its Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RWUAS) concept, which is funded through its Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead programme. An SW-4 Solo uncrewed rotorcraft, a derivative of the PZL SW-4 Puszczyk helicopter, was used for trials and experimentation. The MOD had previously considered the US Navy's MQ-8 Fire Scout but ruled it out as it " not meet any endorsed UK capability need". A phase two contract, worth £8 million, jointly funded by Leonardo and the MOD, was signed in 2017 to continue development. A four-year contract worth £60 million was signed in July 2022 to develop a flyable three-tonne technology demonstrator, named Proteus, with the work to be carried out in Yeovil, England.
The final design of Proteus was revealed in January 2025. Its airframe is derived from the Kopter AW09 single-engine light helicopter and shares its shrouded anti-torque system and five-bladed rotor. It is designed to carry modular payloads which can be interchanged to meet different mission requirements, such as at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare. It was developed through the use of a digital twin and artificial intelligence, with more than 40 components manufactured using advanced composite materials. Whilst it is being primarily developed for the Royal Navy, it will also be focused on exportability.
References
- Stevenson, Beth (13 August 2013). "AUVSI 2013: Royal Navy selects AgustaWestland for RWUAS". Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "Polish SW-4 Solo to Assist Royal Navy Rotary-Wing UAS (RWUAS) Study". sUAS News. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "Overview of military drones used by the UK armed forces" (PDF). House of Commons. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "Rotary Wing uncrewed Air System: Leonardo & UK MoD launch Phase 2 of the (RWUAS) Demonstrator Programme". Leonardo. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "The future of UK uncrewed military VTOL technology is secure onshore as MOD gives green light to Leonardo for "Proteus" demonstration flight". Leonardo. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "Leonardo unveils British Navy Proteus rotary wing UAS final design". Breaking Defense. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "Leonardo Unveils AW09-Inspired Proteus UAS Demonstrator". Aviation Week. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- "Ultra-futuristic 'uncrewed' aircraft to be built in Somerset by Leonardo Helicopters". Somerset Live. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2025.