Combined Naval Event
19-21 May 2026
Overview Proteus Dragonfire Naval Communications Electronics Helicopters Hybrid Navy
Leonardo sponsored, exhibited and presented at the Combined Naval Event (CNE 2026), at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

As a global technology company that provides Aerospace & Defence solutions, Leonardo works in partnership with naval customers to help define and deliver Future Maritime Capability.

Operational maritime activities are changing, and as navies adapt to the increasingly complex international security environment and look to benefit from technology proliferation, Leonardo engages closely with operators and customers to meet the constantly evolving scenarios that they face.

At CNE 2026, Leonardo showcased its vision for how Force Sensing in a contested and congested environment can help naval commands achieve concepts such as mass, interoperability and interchangeability at sea.

We also hosted an industry presentation about the Proteus Technology Demonstrator Programme.

Proteus Technology Demonstrator

Proteus Technology Demonstrator

Leonardo has collaborated with the UK MOD for over a decade to advance Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air Systems. In partnership with DE&S Future Capabilities Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is developing the Proteus Technology Demonstrator to enhance payload modularity, autonomy and rotorcraft technology. Proteus forms a key pillar of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation strategy to utilise uncrewed systems where possible and crewed platforms where necessary, build mass at sea and support anti-submarine warfare missions.

Learn more about Proteus RWUAS

Dragonfire – Laser fire power

Leonardo is working with MBDA, UK MOD and Dstl to develop a Laser Directed Energy Weapon that provides short-range air defence capability or close-in protection for naval vessels.

More about Leonardo's role in the Dragonfire consortium

Dragonfire – Laser fire power

Naval Communications

Naval Communications

Leonardo UK delivers advanced, vendor-agnostic naval communications integration, bringing together best-of-breed technologies into a cohesive, mission-ready capability. Our solutions are designed to ensure secure, resilient and adaptable communications across the battlespace – enabling seamless interoperability between ships, shore and joint forces. This builds upon more than a century of Leonardo providing communications systems to the Royal Navy and other allied naval forces around the world.

Learn more about our Naval Communications systems

From contested seas to a hybrid fleet: why integration, miniaturisation and data will define the Royal Navy’s next era

As global maritime security becomes more connected and contested, navies are being pushed to generate greater mass and effect without relying solely on exquisite, heavily crewed platforms. In the UK, that pressure is accelerating a shift towards a “hybrid navy” – a dispersed but digitally connected mix of crewed and uncrewed systems. The driving mantra is a force that can sense, decide, deliver effect and is connected.

Full article

From contested seas to a hybrid fleet: why integration, miniaturisation and data will define the Royal Navy’s next era