英國「普羅特斯」自主直升機完成首飛　推進混合航空聯隊建構

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「普羅特斯」無人自主直升機完成首飛，可望帶動英國自主系統領域技術革新。（圖片取自英國國防部網站）

英國皇家海軍（Royal Navy）宣布，由李奧納多集團英國分公司（Leonardo UK）研發的「普羅特斯」（Proteus）無人自主直升機已完成首次飛行。該機繼上月初完成地面測試後，再度推進關鍵測試節點，象徵英國朝建構「混合航空聯隊」（Hybrid Air Wing）目標邁出重要一步。

The Royal Navy announced that the Proteus autonomous unmanned helicopter, developed by Leonardo UK, has successfully completed its maiden flight. Following ground testing conducted earlier this month, the program has advanced to another critical milestone, marking progress toward the United Kingdom’s goal of establishing a Hybrid Air Wing.

驗證自主起降與懸停　累積核心飛行數據

根據英國國防部（UK Ministry of Defence）公布的影像資料，「普羅特斯」於本月上旬自英格蘭西南部康瓦爾郡普雷丹納克機場（Predannack Airfield）起飛，透過自主控制系統與感測器，完成起飛、空中懸停與降落等基本飛行操作。該機場鄰近卡德洛斯皇家海軍航空站，亦為英國國家無人機發展中心所在地，使此次試飛具有高度象徵意義。

According to imagery released by the UK Ministry of Defence, Proteus conducted its maiden flight earlier this month from Predannack Airfield in Cornwall, southwest England. Using autonomous control systems and onboard sensors, the aircraft successfully performed basic flight procedures, including takeoff, hovering, and landing. The airfield’s proximity to RNAS Culdrose and its role as the UK’s National Drone Development Centre underscore the significance of the test.

延續飛控測試成果　驗證自主系統效能

英國皇家海軍表示，「普羅特斯」已於去年下半年完成動力系統與飛行控制系統測試，本次飛行所蒐集的各項數據，將進一步用於驗證其自主飛行與系統整合效能，作為後續測試與發展的重要基礎。

The Royal Navy stated that Proteus completed propulsion and flight control system testing in the second half of last year. Data collected during the maiden flight will be used to further validate autonomous flight performance and system integration, forming a foundation for subsequent testing phases.

納入混合型海軍願景　承擔未來反潛任務

主責戰備與國防工業事務的英國國防副大臣波拉德（James Cartlidge）對「普羅特斯」試飛進展表示肯定，指出該計畫有助加速推動「混合型海軍」（Hybrid Navy）轉型，未來可望成為「混合航空聯隊」中的重要組成，承擔新世代反潛作戰相關任務。

UK Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge welcomed the progress of the Proteus flight test, noting that the program supports the transition toward a Hybrid Navy. The autonomous helicopter is expected to play a key role within the future Hybrid Air Wing, contributing to next-generation anti-submarine warfare missions.

技術驗證平台定位　減輕有人直升機負擔

「普羅特斯」被定位為一款技術驗證載臺，具備超過1噸級的酬載能力，可搭載多型感測器與先進設備，驗證海上巡邏與反潛作戰應用潛力。未來亦可與水面艦艇、航空器及其他感測系統即時共享資料，提升整體任務效率，並減輕「梅林Mk2」等有人反潛直升機的作業負荷。

Proteus is positioned as a technology demonstrator platform with a payload capacity exceeding one metric ton. It is designed to carry a range of sensors and advanced systems to explore its potential for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare missions. The platform is also intended to share data with surface vessels, aircraft, and other sensors, improving mission efficiency while reducing the operational burden on crewed platforms such as the Merlin Mk2 helicopter.

納入「大西洋堡壘」計畫　強化海域覺知

英國國防部上月公布「大西洋堡壘」（Atlantic Bastion）計畫，目標是引進自主載臺與先進情監偵系統，執行「有人／無人組合」（MUM-T）協同作業，以提升大西洋與北海海域的整體覺知能力。「普羅特斯」等自主載臺，被視為該計畫的重要核心之一。

The UK Ministry of Defence announced the Atlantic Bastion program last month, aiming to introduce autonomous platforms and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems to enable manned–unmanned teaming operations. The initiative seeks to enhance maritime domain awareness across the Atlantic and North Sea, with platforms such as Proteus identified as central components of the program.