Leonardo to use Shield's Hivemind software for Proteus rotorcraft autonomy

Shield, the US autonomy company, announced on 29 October 2026 an agreement under which Leonardo will use its Hivemind software to develop autonomy capabilities for Proteus, Leonardo’s uncrewed rotorcraft. The announcement was issued by Shield and carries a quote from Leonardo; no separate Leonardo release was found. No value or duration was disclosed.

According to the release, the two companies will integrate the Hivemind software development kit so that Leonardo engineers can build new autonomy capabilities for rotary-wing missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and logistics in contested environments. Shield says partners using Hivemind own what they build and can sustain and adapt it independently.

Proteus is a technology demonstrator developed by Leonardo with the Royal Navy and UK Defence Innovation under the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System programme. The release says it informs the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation strategy, has a modular payload bay for about one tonne, and made its maiden flight in early 2026 with autonomy designed by Leonardo. Hivemind is intended to support further development of those capabilities.

Adam Wardrope, who leads market development for Leonardo’s UK helicopter business, said in the release that the company could potentially extend the use of Hivemind to other programmes in its rotary-wing portfolio.