For the first time in the United Kingdom, a large self-propelled helicopter took off successfully, marking an important milestone for the aviation industry and naval combat capabilities of this country.
The helicopter named Proteus completed a short self-propelled flight without direct human control, while the ground technicians monitored the entire system.
The test flight took place in the presence of government officials and representatives of the defense industry, thereby Proteus demonstrating its safe operation in the common airspace, along with manned aircraft.
This is considered an important step in integrating self-propelled vehicles into the traditional aviation environment.
Proteus, designed by Leonardo of Italy for the British Royal Navy, helps self-propelled helicopters coordinate with manned aircraft in naval missions. In which, manned and unmanned platforms will flexibly coordinate in the same mission, taking advantage of automation to improve efficiency and minimize risks for humans.
It is expected that this self-propelled helicopter will take on many important roles at sea, from anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol to air surveillance.
With automatic operation capability, Proteus can perform long or dangerous missions, thereby releasing manned helicopters to focus on higher priority missions.
Mr. Steve Bolton, Deputy Director of the Aviation and Future Program of the Royal Navy, affirmed that the successful test flight is a key step in the roadmap for maritime aviation transformation.
Mr. Steve Bolton emphasized that this milestone demonstrates the determination to lead in technological innovation and improve combat effectiveness in the context of an increasingly complex maritime security environment.
According to Leonardo, Proteus is being completed under a contract worth 60 million British pounds and is assessed by the Royal Navy as one of the first large self-propelled helicopters in the world.
The aircraft is equipped with a series of sensors and advanced computer systems, allowing for real-time environmental analysis and quick decision-making without human intervention.
Notably, Proteus can carry a load of up to 1 ton in harsh conditions at sea. This helps increase the durability and adaptability of the navy in long-term missions.
CEO of Leonardo UK, Mr. Nigel Colman, said that Proteus is a breakthrough to help naval aviation perform long, dangerous and risky missions without bringing the crew into dangerous areas, thereby opening up a new future for large-sized self-propelled helicopters.
