Leonardo Brings Full Range of Unmanned Systems, Platforms and Services to UMEX 2022

: Feb 23, 2022 - : 12:06 am

Leonardo is highlighting the capabilities of Its Rotary Unmanned Air System (RUAS) AWHERO, a dual-use platform that can perform civil and military missions over land and sea, and Osprey, the multi-domain AESA surveillance radar, at the ongoing UMEX & SIMTEX...

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AWHERO received basic military certification from Italy’s DAAA (Direzione degli Armamenti Aeronautici e per l’Aeronavigabilità - the Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness) in October last year, thus achieving the world’s first military certification for a RUAS in the 200kg class. On board of AWHERO, Leonardo is progressing in the integration and testing of mission equipment and sensors.

The AWHERO can integrate advanced sensors and suites such as the Gabbiano Ultra-Light (UL) radar, also on display at Leonardo’s stand. Gabbiano UL is affordable, compact, and lightweight, making it ideally suited to small unmanned as well as manned fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. The Gabbiano Ultra-Light TS-20 and the Gabbiano Ultra-Light TS-80 come equipped with the full Gabbiano family mode suite, which has been continuously expanded over more than 10 years.

Osprey, the multi-domain AESA surveillance radar, is currently in use by 12 international operators for a range of missions spanning from defence, security and civil protection, to environmental monitoring and search and rescue. The radar is currently available in two variants: the compact Osprey 30 and the larger, more powerful Osprey 50.

At UMEX, Leonardo is also exhibiting its target UAV, Mirach 40 (M-40), which supports armed forces training, being able to convincingly mimic a variety of aircraft and missiles, also simulating radar, infrared (IR) and visual threats. This allows Armed Forces to ‘shoot down’ the reusable M-40 in realistic scenarios.

Developed in-house by Leonardo using commercial components, the M-40 is readily exportable. M-40 is part of the company’s successful Mirach family of target drones that also includes the M-100/5 V2, which has recently been selected in an international competition. Sixteen armed forces including those of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK already have trained with the M-100/5.

According to Vincenzo Romano, the company's General Manager in the UAE, Leonardo is the only European firm able to provide complete unmanned solutions for civil and military customers. A member of leading unmanned programs such as the Eurodrone, Leonardo boasts a wide portfolio of technological solutions including fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, sensors, mission and ground control systems, drone navigation and traffic management, training services, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems.

“The UAE is a nation that seeks to innovate in all that it does,” explained Romano. “This is why Leonardo continues to support, through its latest technological solutions, their daily in-field operation including security management, air transport, and naval platforms. The unmanned sector, where Leonardo’s platforms are operationally proven, may also pave the way for new opportunities of mutual collaboration.

“Leonardo has a branch in Abu Dhabi. From the ‘70s, it has provided high-tech platforms to the UAE armed forces, institution and local partners, including more than 100 helicopters, naval systems, secure communications applications, space technologies and training aircraft. The Aermacchi MB-339 was selected for the Emirati national aerobatic team Al Fursan,” Romano added.

V-22-osprey / Awhero / Aesa-surveillance-radar / Mirach-40-m-40 / Leonardo /

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