Britain’s first ever self-flying full-sized helicopter has taken to the skies.
The autonomous chopper is designed for treacherous high-risk missions and will be used by the Royal Navy to track submarines across the Atlantic.
It comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and will be crucial to defending Britain and its NATO allies, the Navy says.
The windowless £60m warfighting machine has sensors and computer systems where one would normally expect a cockpit.
It takes the name Proteus – after the shape-shifting god of the sea from Greek mythology.
This week it took its maiden flight out of Predannack, Cornwall, where it will be based.
The UK’s first truly autonomous full-size helicopter completing its maiden flight. Pic: Royal Navy
In a statement, the Royal Navy said the aircraft “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.”
While the Navy already operates drones and a small autonomous surveillance helicopter, this will be the first of its size.
Designed and built by defence firm Leonardo, it will form part of a “hybrid naval force”.
It comes at a time when armies across the world are embracing new technologies, such as AI, robots and lasers.
That is paired with a time of unprecedented global tension – with US President Donald Trump threatening to invade Greenland and Vladimir Putin continuing to wage war in Ukraine.
The move to bolster British defences comes amid increasingly inflammatory rhetoric from Donald Trump about invading Greenland
The Navy insists this will be crucial to tackling those “evolving threats”.
A spokesperson said: “Such machines are central to the Atlantic Bastion programme announced by the MOD last month, creating an advanced hybrid naval force to defend the UK and NATO allies against evolving threats.
“It will enable the UK to find, track and, if required, act against adversaries with unprecedented effectiveness across vast areas of ocean.”
Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry, hailed the achievement as “a proud moment for British innovation”.
He added: “Autonomous systems like this will be vital in protecting our seas without putting personnel in harm’s way”.
Commodore Steve Bolton, Royal Navy deputy director aviation future programmes added: “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.”