The Royal Navy said on Friday that they have launched a new full size crewless helicopter which is designed to track submarines and will undertake missions in the North Atlantic.
Since Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale war in Ukraine the defence industry has been remodelled as most European government’s have increased military spending.
The helicopter named “Proteus” has completed a test flight and was part of a £60 million programme, it will be used to help defend the US and NATO allies over “evolving threats” in the North Atlantic, Reuters reports.
The uncrewed helicopter relies on computer systems and sensors and the software enables Proteus to make decisions on what it interprets from the environment it is operating in, the Royal Navy said.
“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,” said Nigel Colman, UK managing director of Leonardo Helicopters.
