Leonardo Shows Uncrewed Rotorcraft for Naval Missions
Leonardo displayed its AWHero and Proteus uncrewed rotorcraft, both aimed at naval surveillance and counter-threat support.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Robotics
Leonardo showed the AWHero and Proteus uncrewed rotorcraft, which are designed for naval ISTAR and support against surface and submarine threats. The systems are integrated with vessels' Combat Management Systems and have Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming capabilities that are being tested.
Why it matters
The platforms point to a growing role for uncrewed aircraft in naval operations, extending surveillance and threat-response capacity from ships. Proteus also supports the UK Royal Navy's Hybrid Navy ambition and its Maritime Aviation Transformation strategy.
AWHero is a 200 kg-class uncrewed rotorcraft and Proteus a 3-ton-class platform, with AWHero's heavy-fuel production configuration nearing Italian certification. Neither the certification timeline nor Proteus's operational deployment schedule has been specified.
The players
Leonardo
Leonardo is an Italian multinational aerospace, defense and security company with a long history in helicopters and defense electronics.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service of the United Kingdom and the lead customer for the Proteus demonstrator.
The details
Leonardo highlighted AWHero and Proteus as products of its integrated capabilities spanning platforms, systems and sensors. Proteus, developed as a technology demonstrator under a UK MoD and Royal Navy initiative, has shown fully autonomous mission completion for a large rotary platform in a virtual environment.
Timeline
Since 2019: AWHero has conducted maritime surveillance demonstrations on ships and during exercises.
Beginning of 2026: Proteus made its first flight.
Season Trajectory
Proteus directly supports the UK Royal Navy's Hybrid Navy ambition and its Maritime Aviation Transformation strategy (MATx). The demonstrator's first flight in early 2026 places Leonardo's uncrewed naval rotorcraft within that national modernization push.
For consumers, the immediate effect is limited, since these are military and defense platforms rather than products for sale. The technology may influence future naval capabilities and the autonomous systems that operate alongside crewed vessels.
The takeaway
Uncrewed rotorcraft are increasingly being designed to work alongside crewed ships and aircraft rather than replace them. Watch how Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming moves from demonstration into operational naval use.
Further reading
Explore more on Robotics developments in uncrewed systems and autonomous platforms.
