Leonardo to integrate Shield AI software into Royal Navy Proteus helicopter

Italian defense company Leonardo has announced an agreement to use Shield AI’s Hivemind software to enhance the autonomous capabilities of Proteus, an uncrewed helicopter demonstrator built for the Royal Navy.

Leonardo engineers will utilize the Hivemind Software Development Kit (SDK) to develop mission autonomy for various rotary-wing operations. These include anti-submarine warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as logistics flights in contested environments. The Proteus aircraft features a modular bay capable of carrying a payload of approximately one metric ton or two standard NATO 463L pallets.

Proteus, which was developed in collaboration with the Royal Navy and UK Defence Innovation, completed its maiden flight on January 16, 2026, at Predannack airfield in Cornwall. While the initial flight utilized Leonardo-developed autonomy, the new partnership with Shield AI aims to support further development of these capabilities. Leonardo has indicated the potential to extend the use of Hivemind to other programs within its rotary-wing portfolio.