The Royal Navy says its first crewless helicopter is one step from taking to the skies after completing successful trials on the ground.

Proteus – the size of a traditional helicopter, but with a pilot assigning specific missions to the aircraft rather than flying it – has been 'flashed up', testing her engines, systems and rotor blades.

Designed and manufactured in less than two-and-a-half years at the home of British helicopters in Yeovil, the Proteus Technology Demonstrator is being developed by Leonardo under a £60m programme and is believed to be one of the world's first full-sized autonomous helicopters.

The Royal Navy said this is the first step towards creating a truly autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft in this weight class.

Its role could include detectin

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