Leonardo says development of its Proteus uncrewed helicopter demonstrator will continue after funding for the program was renewed through to mid-2027. The update was given during Farnborough International Airshow 2026, where the company confirmed that work on the aircraft is moving forward under the extended contract.
The confirmation came from Leonardo Helicopters UK Managing Director Nigel Colman during a press briefing at the show. His comments indicate that the Proteus effort remains an active part of Leonardo’s development pipeline, with financial backing now in place for the next phase over the coming year.
Proteus is being positioned as an uncrewed helicopter demonstrator, and the extension signals continued confidence in the project’s progress. While Leonardo did not outline every next step in the brief update, the renewed funding provides a clearer timeline for ongoing testing and development activity.
The announcement also gives Farnborough 2026 another notable rotorcraft development story, as manufacturers use the event to highlight future aviation programs. For Leonardo, the contract extension keeps Proteus on track through mid-2027 and shows that the company is still investing in uncrewed helicopter technology.
