£60 Million Investment – First Flight 2025
UK MoD has awarded a four-year contract, valued at £60 million ($72 million) to Leonardo to deliver the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), “RWUAS CCD Phase 3 TDP”. Funded through Defence Innovation, the programme will include the flight of an advanced uncrewed VTOL prototype, designated Proteus by the MoD.
Proteus is a key element in the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF) vision for ASW support. The award supports the company’s strategic goal for its Yeovil site to expand and become the UK’s hub for uncrewed military VTOL aircraft. Internationally, Leonardo is already at the heart of numerous forward-looking uncrewed research and innovation programmes, ranging from advanced air mobility to uncrewed combat air, counter-UAS technologies and uncrewed traffic management. The company has demonstrated its expertise and capabilities in the sector during major European exercises such as Unmanned Warrior, Italian Blade and OCEAN 2020.
In the UK, Leonardo is a close partner of the MoD, and has already invested substantially in uncrewed military capabilities onshore. In Yeovil, the specialised helicopter design and engineering skills have made the site a focus for uncrewed systems. The company has previously conducted a number of advanced research projects under RWUAS phases 1 and 2. Phase 3 will sustain and grow this onshore design and technology development capability, by readying a brand new uncrewed prototype for its maiden flight.
Adam Clarke, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters (UK), stated, “Uncrewed VTOL aircraft will transform military capability, [while] also having application in other market sectors, both in the UK and around the world. This contract represents a major step towards our future in next-generation uncrewed military technology and the sustainment of unique engineering skills onshore.”
Leveraging technology developed through the first two phases of the RWUAS CCD programme, Phase 3 will see Leonardo create an up to 2-3t demonstration aircraft that will have modularity at its core. The dual-use RWUAS prototype will be adapted to deliver a wide range of roles in the military and parapublic domains. These include ISR, maritime-specific missions and logistics supply. The high payload and large volume capabilities, combined with an ability to operate in harsh environmental conditions, are expected to be of interest to a wide range of potential users.
