UK Tests Autonomous Submarine-Hunting Helicopter

Britain’s Royal Navy has successfully completed the maiden flight of its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, named Proteus, a significant development in naval warfare designed to track submarines and conduct high-risk missions in the increasingly tense North Atlantic.

Developed under a £60 million ($80 million) program by defense group Leonardo, the helicopter uses advanced sensors and computer systems to interpret its environment and make decisions independently, marking a major advancement in anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol.

This launch comes as European defense sectors are reshaped by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with nations boosting military spending and capabilities, and amid heightened strategic interest in the North Atlantic, where the US and allies monitor Russian submarine activity.

The pilotless Proteus, which is larger and more sophisticated than previous naval drones, is intended to defend Britain and its NATO allies against “evolving threats,” taking on missions that would be too dangerous for human crews and redefining naval power for the 21st century.