Leonardo's Proteus — an AW09-based remotely piloted helicopter developed in Yeovil for the UK Royal Navy — has completed initial engine, rotor and ground-run tests, clearing the way for imminent flight trials as the service evaluates uncrewed rotary platforms.
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Proteus has completed engine, rotor and ground-run tests and now advances to flight trials as the Royal Navy evaluates a full‑sized remotely‑piloted helicopter demonstrator. See the Royal Navy's move to integrate uncrewed carrier aviation here: https://hype.aero/?story=d65c145b-04e6-4d02-a5bd-d8c068e548a2
The demonstrator is based on the Leonardo/Kopter AW09 airframe; these tests run alongside the AW09 certification campaign, linking type‑approval progress to potential uncrewed conversions: https://hype.aero/?story=a2c07bbd-2603-4773-9577-fea385a8a73d
The milestone sits within a wider push to mature autonomy and airborne testbeds ahead of operational use, following other industry autonomy flight‑test efforts: https://hype.aero/?story=26818b58-a58b-467a-9c4c-ff9dd5afeceb
Reported By
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Leonardo’s Proteus Uncrewed Helicopter Begins Ground Tests • Aviation Week
FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
Proteus Drone Helicopter Nears First Flight For Royal Navy • orbitaltoday.com
Leonardo’s Proteus drone helicopter completes trials as Royal Navy eyes maiden flight • defence-industry.eu
Leonardo's Proteus naval helicopter completes ground trials, nears first flight • naval-technology.com
Royal Navy's first crewless helicopter prepares for first flight • navaltoday.com