WATCH: UK’s first fully autonomous helicopter completes historic flight in Cornwall

January 20, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The UK’s first truly autonomous full-size helicopter has completed its maiden flight, operating from Predannack airfield in Cornwall.

As informed, during its first flight, Proteus was tasked with a short test routine which saw the aircraft operate its own flying controls independently of any human operator, all while under constant supervision and monitoring by test pilots on the ground to ensure flight safety.

Predannack serves as the satellite airfield for helicopters based at nearby RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, but is also key to developing uncrewed/autonomous systems as the National Drone Hub.

The successful flight delivers on key commitments in the Strategic Defence Review, which set out plans to create a ‘New Hybrid Navy’ with autonomous helicopters like this demonstrator playing a central role in hybrid air wings and the Atlantic Bastion program to secure the North Atlantic.

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The helicopter has been designed and built by Leonardo as a demonstrator for the Royal Navy, to unlock the potential of uncrewed aerial systems.

In July 2022, the company was awarded a four-year, £60 million contract for the RWUAS Phase 3A Technology Demonstrator Program (referred to as ‘Proteus’). Leonardo is developing a C3T Technology Demonstrator with inherent modularity and autonomy, designed, developed and manufactured in Yeovil, UK.

A few weeks ago, the helicopter completed comprehensive ground running trials at Leonardo’s Yeovil site – where its systems, sensors, and engines were tested before Proteus lifted off the ground.

Royal Navy’s first crewless helicopter prepares for first flight

UUV/UAV

“This maiden flight is a proud moment for British innovation. Designed and built in Yeovil, Proteus supports skilled UK jobs while helping deliver the hybrid navy outlined in our Strategic Defence Review. Autonomous systems like this will be vital in protecting our seas without putting personnel in harm’s way,” Luke Pollard, UK’s Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry, said.

“The successful first flight of Proteus is a significant step in delivering the Royal Navy’s maritime aviation transformation vision, and to demonstrating our steadfast commitment to investing in autonomy as part of a hybrid air wing. This milestone signals our intent to lead technological innovation, to enhance the fighting effectiveness of the Royal Navy in an increasingly complex operating environment, and to maintain operational advantage against evolving maritime threats,” Commodore Steve Bolton, Royal Navy Deputy Director Aviation Future Program, added.

“Proteus represents a step-change in how maritime aviation can deliver persistence, adaptability and reach – conducting the dull, dirty and dangerous missions in challenging environments without putting human operators at risk. As the UK’s only end-to-end rotary wing manufacturer it has been a pleasure working with the Royal Navy and seeing Proteus take off for the first time after being designed, developed, and manufactured at Leonardo’s Yeovil site is a fantastic milestone,” Nigel Colman, Managing Director Helicopters UK, Leonardo, commented.

With a greater than one-tonne payload, Proteus can carry a range of equipment to conduct tasks in challenging weather conditions, such as high sea and wind states, and also frees up crewed aircraft to conduct other critical sorties. It has been designed to conduct a range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, patrolling the seas and drawing on information provided by a network of allied ships, helicopters, submarines and detection systems to hunt vessels beneath the waves.

The Royal Navy operates several drones, including Malloy octocopters and Peregrine, a scaled-down helicopter that conducts surveillance duties.