DSEI 2025: Leonardo presents Proteus unmanned helicopter to enhance anti-submarine capabilities.

At the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI 2025) exhibition in London, Leonardo presents the Proteus unmanned rotorcraft technology demonstrator, a system developed within the framework of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) programme. This unveiling, officially supported by Leonardo UK and confirmed by British defence sources, marks a major step in the Royal Navy’s long-term vision for maritime aviation. Proteus is part of a four-year, £60 million contract awarded in 2022 under Phase 3A of the RWUAS Technology Demonstrator Programme, designed to test and validate the functions of a fully autonomous naval rotorcraft. Its display at DSEI 2025 illustrates the convergence of industry, armed forces, and government strategy in shaping the next generation of uncrewed systems for the United Kingdom.
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Leonardo’s Proteus unmanned rotorcraft, unveiled at DSEI 2025, is a three-tonne modular UAV designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, logistics, and multi-role naval missions with over 1,000 kg payload capacity (Picture source : Army Recognition Group).

Proteus is an ambitious platform. With an estimated maximum take-off weight of three tonnes, it draws on the proven architecture of the Kopter AW09 light helicopter, integrating its four-bladed main rotor and a shrouded anti-torque system. Its fuselage has been re-engineered for unmanned operations, optimising internal volume for a modular payload bay. This modularity is central to the aircraft’s design philosophy, allowing it to carry up to 1,000 kilograms, equivalent to two NATO-standard pallets, or to be configured for longer endurance missions by reducing payload and increasing fuel capacity. The structure relies heavily on advanced composites and additive manufacturing, which both reduce weight and lower production costs. A digital twin, combined with artificial intelligence-powered control software, has been created to replicate the aircraft’s behaviour under different mission conditions, enabling virtual validation of complex functions such as autonomous deck landings before physical trials. This approach reduces risk, shortens development cycles, and aligns with the Royal Navy’s emphasis on cost-effective innovation.

The programme is entering a decisive phase, with a maiden flight expected between the second and third quarter of 2025. Assembly at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility is nearly complete, with ground-based testing already underway. Following its first flight, Proteus will undergo extensive trials to demonstrate its ability to conduct autonomous take-off, navigation, mission execution, and landing, both in synthetic and live environments. Maritime testing will follow, including shipborne integration, which is essential for validating the system’s ability to operate in the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic. Beyond the technical milestones, the programme also serves to refine operational concepts of how uncrewed rotorcraft can integrate into the Royal Navy’s evolving force structure under the Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATx) plan, which looks ahead to 2040.

Proteus is designed to support a wide range of naval missions, with a primary focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Its modular payload bay allows it to carry and deploy multi-static sonobuoys while acting as a communication relay to surface ships and submarines. This capacity effectively extends the reach of a surface combatant’s sonar coverage without requiring a manned helicopter, reducing risk to personnel in contested waters. Synthetic trials have demonstrated its ability to process and transmit sensor data in real time, integrating electro-optical payloads, radar, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers for wide-area maritime surveillance. Beyond ASW, the system can be adapted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), airborne early warning (AEW), and logistic resupply missions. Its capacity to carry over a tonne of cargo gives it significant utility for resupplying ships at sea or forward-deployed bases, particularly in environments where traditional logistics routes may be threatened. By combining endurance, payload flexibility, and autonomy, Proteus has the potential to multiply operational tempo while lowering the burden on manned aviation assets such as the Merlin HM2 and Wildcat helicopters currently in Royal Navy service.

Proteus fits into a broader trend of navies adopting unmanned rotorcraft for maritime operations. The United States Navy has fielded the MQ-8C Fire Scout, an unmanned helicopter based on the Bell 407 airframe, with a maximum take-off weight of 2.7 tonnes. Fire Scout is capable of carrying radar and electro-optical payloads for ISR missions, but its payload capacity is more limited compared to Proteus. Meanwhile, Airbus Helicopters has developed the VSR700, a 700-kilogram class unmanned rotorcraft derived from the Guimbal Cabri G2, which has been tested by the French Navy for ISR and tactical data relay missions. In comparison, Leonardo’s Proteus occupies a heavier class, enabling it to carry larger payloads, deploy ASW equipment, and potentially operate alongside manned helicopters without replacing them. Where Fire Scout and VSR700 demonstrate endurance and cost-effectiveness, Proteus emphasises modularity and mission flexibility, aiming to provide a multi-role solution capable of integrating into a range of naval and joint operations.

The United Kingdom has identified undersea threats, particularly from Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic and Arctic, as a priority for its maritime forces. At the same time, strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific requires capabilities that allow allies to project surveillance and anti-submarine coverage across vast maritime areas. Uncrewed rotorcraft such as Proteus offer a means of reinforcing maritime patrol capacity without placing additional strain on limited manned aviation resources. For the Royal Navy, this aligns with the ASW Spearhead initiative, which seeks to develop new concepts and technologies for undersea warfare. The export potential of Proteus also matters: by demonstrating a mature, modular, and flexible system, the United Kingdom positions itself as a leader in the unmanned aviation market at a time when NATO allies and partner nations are looking to strengthen their naval capabilities with cost-effective innovations.

Proteus contributes to sustaining the UK’s aerospace engineering base. Leonardo’s Yeovil facility, historically associated with helicopter production, is now transitioning to integrate advanced manufacturing techniques and digital engineering environments. The programme supports employment in the region while reinforcing the UK’s role within NATO’s technological base. Should the system transition from demonstrator to production, it could become part of a broader family of unmanned platforms developed for both domestic and export markets, further cementing Leonardo’s position in the sector.

Leonardo’s Proteus represents a significant step in the evolution of maritime aviation. It combines the reliability of proven helicopter heritage with the flexibility of modular payloads and the innovation of digital engineering. As it nears its first flight, it promises to enhance the Royal Navy’s ability to conduct anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and logistics support with reduced risk and greater efficiency. By placing autonomy at the heart of its design, Proteus aligns with the strategic imperative to do more with fewer personnel, a challenge faced by many modern armed forces. In the broader international context, it positions the United Kingdom alongside the United States and France in the development of naval unmanned rotorcraft, while carving out a niche in the heavier class of systems. Its unveiling at DSEI 2025 is therefore more than a presentation of a prototype; it is a statement of intent about the future of naval operations and the role of uncrewed systems in maintaining maritime security.