Leonardo is promoting its exportable airborne technologies to regional customers at the ongoing EDEX 2018.
One notable new offering in the company’s product range is its Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) products, which includes the fixed wing ‘Falco’ family that has proven popular in the region and recently saw its new package of upgrades validated in live flight trials. Another produce being showcased is the rotary wing AWHERO for land and naval applications.
“Our unmanned Falco family has attracted customers and continues to receive great attention in the Middle East and North Africa regions and we’re pleased to have already delivered a Falco EVO, the longest endurance model of the Falco family, to a customer in the region,” said Marco Buratti, Leonardo’s SVP International Marketing & Strategic Campaigns.
“The recent flight trials centred on the Falco EVO have allowed us to validate a package of upgrades including a Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) satellite data-link system and a new propulsion system based on a heavy-fuel engine. Together, these extend the endurance and operational range of the Falco EVO, making it even more effective for overland and maritime missions. Moreover, the new engine proved it could generate more electrical power on-board, granting access to more power-intensive payloads in future.”
More than 50 Falco-family platforms are currently operating internationally. Buratti says Leonardo has started to see new trends emerge in how customers are making use of unmanned platforms. “Some customers prefer the traditional model of owning and operating their own platforms” he said. “We are also seeing increasing demand for ‘managed service’ packages where we as a company own and operate Falco platforms and then provide surveillance information directly to the customer. This is the model we have been delivering for the United Nations. We’re expecting this model to be even more popular in future as we expand the service to civilian customers such as police and emergency responders.”
Leonardo has also developed a range of remotely-piloted systems and capabilities in the rotorcraft sector. The AWHERO is a state of the art 200kg class unmanned helicopter developed for land and naval operations. AWHERO is the perfect solution in terms of cost effectiveness for tasks such as maritime and border surveillance, homeland security, pipeline and powerline monitoring, monitoring the environment and critical infrastructure as well as supporting rescue efforts, disaster relief and damage assessment during natural disasters. AWHERO has a maximum gross weight of 205 kg and a useful load of 85 kg (fuel plus payload) with a maximum endurance in excess of 6 hours.
“The aircraft is designed to deliver high availability and low operating costs and features multiple redundancy of all the main critical systems for maximum reliability. It can also operate from ships alongside manned rotorcraft giving force commanders the greatest mission flexibility,” said Buratti.
With a multiple payload capacity, the AWHERO is able to meet a range of mission and customization requirements and is ready for maritime operations. Payload may include a radar (such as the Leonardo Gabbiano Ultra-Light), electro-optics, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), advanced communication systems among others. With a multiple payload capacity, the AWHERO can meet a range of missions.
The future for the Falco family and AWHERO looks bright, but Leonardo isn’t slowing the pace of progress. Upcoming flights will see the Falco EVO equipped with Leonardo’s Gabbiano TS Ultra-Light (UL) surveillance radar and other sensors including a high-definition InfraRed (IR) electro-optical system, Automatic Identification System and a communications relay suite.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that the Falco continuously delivers mission success through the latest technology,” said Buratti. “Therefore, we’re constantly ensuring that the Falco family platforms are able to fly with the most advanced and most effective sensors and equipment. When we stay at the cutting edge of technology, our customers benefit.”
Mayman Aerospace is set to unveil a full-scale model of its high-speed Air Utility Vehicle (AUV), Razor, during SOF Week…
TEKEVER, a provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Europe, introduced its newest drone the ARX in San Diego, U.S.…
Viasat and uAvionix have teamed up to enhance global communication services for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with uAvionix joining Viasat’s…
Korean Air and WestJet have extended their codeshare agreement to provide additional transpacific travel options for passengers on Monday (Apr.…
China Eastern Airlines has reached an agreement with Amadeus concerning international NDC distribution, marking a significant development for both parties.…
Singaporean officials have launched an Invincible-class submarine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at thyssenKrupp Marine Systems (tKMS) shipyard…
Ten died following a midair collision between an AW139 helicopter and a Fennec helicopter belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy…
Integrated Surveillance and Defense (ISD) has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD),…
ST Engineering AirX (AirX), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Peluca (formerly known as Wigetworks), have announced a strategic…
WestJet Cargo is strengthening its flights between Calgary and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). The route will operate 5-7 times…
Embraer delivered 25 jets in 1Q24, an increase of 67% compared to the 15 aircraft delivered in 1Q23. Executive Aviation…
Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane airline, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase 50 magni650 electric engines,…
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has apologised to customers for the disruptions caused by the severe weather that battered Dubai…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut - TNI AL) aims to enhance its operational capabilities between 2025 and 2044 with…
The Philippine Armed Forces (PAF) took delivery of the first India-made BrahMos land-based anti-ship missile system at Clark Air Base…
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered six Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its efforts to update its rotary…
The Brazilian aerospace company, Embraer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AICAT (Austrian Industrial Cooperation & Aviation Technology) to…
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) announced that it has reclaimed the title of the "World’s Best Airport" at the prestigious…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) joined the Sharp Technics K (STK) and Incheon International Airport Corporation for a ceremony heralding the…
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division has forged a strategic alliance and reseller agreement with Rancher Government Solutions (RGS), a provider of…
Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has experienced a significant surge in brand value, as indicated by the latest…
The ongoing eruption of Mount Ruang in the Siau Islands regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia has caused significant disruptions to air…
Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, recently received the first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft at Changi Airport. "We are excited…
The first of two Fincantieri-built PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura - offshore multi-purpose patrol vessel) for the Indonesian Navy is expected…
Thailand’s DTI (Defence Technology Institute) and the Royal Thai Army recently conducted a successful test of the DTI-STD-003 bridge layer…
Eve Air Mobility has signed a letter of intent with AirX, Japan’s largest public helicopter air charter service, for up…
L3Harris Technologies has received a US$256 million order from the U.S. Army for continued production of the Enhanced Night Vision…
The Missile Defense Agency has selected Lockheed Martin to deliver the nation's new homeland missile defense capability, the Next Generation…
Collins Aerospace will introduce two major upgrades to the Ascentia software platform. Ascentia is a software solution for aircraft reliability management that…
Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT6A engine recently surpassed 25 million flight hours and 40 years of powering the Cessna Caravan…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.