Leonardo: Sloane signs contract for two additional AW109s and renews Distributorship Agreement in UK

- Distributorship  Agreement  renewal  signed  with  Sloane  for  the  AW109  GrandNew, AW109  Trekker  and  AW169  in  UK  and  Ireland  foresees  at  least  eight  new  sales  by 2021 

- Leonardo  is  the  world’s  leading  manufacturer  in  the  VIP  multiengine  helicopter market  with a  40%  share;  largest  producer  of  corporate  helicopters  flying  in UK   

-  Combined orders  for  over  450  Grand/GrandNew  and  Trekker  aircraft  placed  by customers  worldwide  to date

Geneva, 22  May  2019  –  As  the  world’s  leading  manufacturer  in  the  VIP  multiengine helicopter  market  with  a  40%  share  and  the  largest  producer  of  corporate  helicopters  flying  in UK,  Leonardo  is  further  growing  its  presence  in  this  sector  with  the  announcement  of  a  further renewal  of  the  Distributorship  Agreement  in  UK  and  Ireland  with  its  key  partner  Sloane Helicopters  (Sloane).  The  agreement  covers  the  AW109  GrandNew,  AW109  Trekker  and AW169  types  over  the  period  2019-2021.  Under  the  Distributorship  Agreement,  Sloane  foresees the  purchase  of  at  least  eight  new  helicopters  by  2021,  with  a  contract  for  an  AW109 GrandNew  and  an  AW109  Trekker  in  VIP  configuration  signed  at  EBACE.

Leonardo is  the  world  leader  in  the  twin-engine  VIP/corporate  helicopter  market  including private,  charter  and  VVIP/Government  transport  services,  thanks  to  the  most  modern  and largest  product  range  featuring  state-of-art  avionic  and  navigation  systems  along  with  class leading  performance,  safety  and comfort  standards.

Sloane  said:  “We  are  delighted  and  honoured  to  continue  our  close  partnership  with  Leonardo Helicopters.  The  AW109  series  and  AW169  helicopters  have  consolidated  their  positions as  the  benchmark  for  helicopters  in  the  corporate/VIP  market.  As  the  sole  Distributor  in  the region  for  24  years,  Sloane  Helicopters  has  an  unrivalled  understanding  of  customer requirements  and  continues  to  leverage  this  expertise  by  offering  industry  leading  solutions throughout  the  sales  process and  after  sales support.” 

The  partnership  with  Sloane  has  led  to  the  sale  of  nearly  80  aircraft  to  date.  Following  the outstanding  success  of  earlier  variants  of  the  AW109  and  the  AW109  GrandNew,  the  new AW109  Trekker  has  more  recently  found  success  with  three  aircraft  ordered  in  the  region  to date.  The  AW109  GrandNew  and  the  AW109  Trekker  share  the  same  powerful  engines, dynamics,  the  most  spacious  cabin  and the  best  performance and  maximum  cruise speed  in the light  twin  class,  while  featuring  different  digital  core  avionics  and  with  retractable  landing  gear  / skids  respectively.  Each  provides  customers  with  one  more  option  depending  on  their  specific operational  requirements.  Combined  orders  for  over  450  Grand/GrandNew  and  Trekker helicopters  have been  placed  by  customers  worldwide  to  date.     

FAREWELL TORNADO

Looking back on how Leonardo has helped protect the Royal Air Force Tornado and its crews

It all started with the Radar Warning Equipment on-board the Tornado GR.1. Perhaps foreshadowing the Anglo-Italian character of today’s company, the very first equipment that Leonardo developed for Tornado was actually a collaboration between the company in the UK (at the time known as Marconi Space and Defence Systems) and Italy’s Elettronica. However, with electronic countermeasures considered of special national importance, it was Marconi alone which went on to develop the RAF Tornado’s self-protection jammer, being contracted in 1972 to provide a pod that could defend the aircraft from lethal Soviet surface-to-air missile systems. In 1978, that pod was formally named ‘Skyshadow’ and in 1981 Leonardo commenced deliveries, for the first time providing Tornado with a way to delay radar acquisition or, in concert with chaff and flares, break a radar lock.

By the time Skyshadow was being delivered, Leonardo’s engineers in Stanmore had already been working for years in parallel to develop the next generation of the original Radar Warning Equipment. The resulting Radar Homing and Warning Receiver (RHWR), which was installed on the Tornado GR.1, used clever signal processing techniques to improve the handling of multiple threats and provide more accurate threat clarification, capabilities that were well-received by Tornado crews.

By the mid-1980s, it was clear to the RAF that a complete upgrade of the Tornado’s protective systems would be needed if it was going to stand up to increasingly high-tech threats in theatre. In 1988, Leonardo (now called Marconi Defence Systems) was awarded the contract for ‘project Thor’, which entailed upgrading both the RHWR and Skyshadow equipment. Leonardo project teams subsequently worked alongside the RAF to develop combinations of jamming, chaff and manoeuvres that kept these systems effective throughout the 1990s.

The Falklands conflict saw the first operational use by the Royal Air Force of laser-guided bombs which relied on a forward air controller using a ground designator. It was soon apparent that an airborne system was required. In the late 1980s, Leonardo’s thermal imaging business (then GEC Ferranti Defence Systems) started the development of the Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator targeting (TIALD) pod. The pod was manufactured by Leonardo (GEC Marconi) in Basildon in the 1990s and was first used by the Tornado in the first Gulf War.

Following the Gulf War, development of protection against threat radar systems slowed as the Tornado was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and InfraRed (IR) threats posed the most pressing concern to crews. However, in 2011, operations in Libya drew attention back to the now-formidable radar-guided RF (Radio Frequency) systems which posed a real threat to freedom of operation. Leonardo’s electronic warfare business (then known as Selex ES and based in Luton) was asked to evaluate the Skyshadow to make it fit-for-purpose to protect against modern threats, leading to the development of the Common Jamming Pod.

Of course the story didn’t end there. Threat technology continued to evolve, and advanced enemy radar systems started to be able to outwit traditional chaff countermeasures. With this growing threat in mind, Leonardo’s engineers began working with the UK MOD to develop the next generation of expendable decoy, looking beyond clouds of aluminium foil to the latest digital jamming techniques. The result was BriteCloud, a world-first technology which packs a digital RF jammer into a package the size of a drinks can, fitting into a standard 55mm dispenser.

An accelerated development and testing programme, in partnership with the RAF’s new Rapid Capabilities Office, saw BriteCloud go into service in early 2018. The RAF’s Tornado GR.4 was the first aircraft in the world to go on operations with this new protective technology, a proud moment for the electronic warfare team at Leonardo and the latest in a long line of firsts for one of the UK's genuinely historic aircraft.

Leonardo forms partnerships with Ultra CSS and L3 Technologies to offer complete next-gen acoustic sensor system for anti-submarine warfare

•  Leonardo  has  formed  separate  partnerships  with  L3  Technologies,  relating  to  the company’s  advanced  low-frequency  HELRAS  dipping  sonar  technology  and  next generation  mid-frequency,  lightweight  Firefly  dipping  sonars,  and  with  Ultra  Electronics Command  & Sonar  Systems,  for  its  advanced  sonobuoy  sensors   

•  The  company  will  now  be  able  to  offer  a  complete  acoustic  system  based  on  its  new ULISSES  processor,  integrated  with  sonobuoys  and/or  dipping  sonar  depending  on customer  requirements,  and  able  to  deliver  multistatic  capability 

•  This partnered  approach  will  see  Leonardo  able  to  offer  a  new  market-leading  system  to international  customers,  helping  the  Company  meet  its  objective  for  long-term sustainable  growth  as  laid  out  in  the  2018-2022  Industrial  Plan 

Farnborough,  18  July  2018  -  Leonardo  has    entered  partnerships  with  L3  Technologies  and  Ultra Electronics  Command  &  Sonar  Systems  (“Ultra”)  in  order  to  offer  a  complete  Anti-Submarine  Warfare (ASW)  acoustic  system  based  on  Leonardo’s  new  lightweight  ULISSES  (Ultra-LIght  SonicS  Enhanced System)  processor.  Leonardo  will  offer  an  integrated  system  comprising  ULISSES  and  either  a  dipping sonar  provided  by  L3  or  sonobuoys  provided  by  Ultra,  or  a  combination  of  both.  The  integrated  system will  be  trialed  for  the  first  time  later  this  year  with  the  complete  system  available  for  deliveries  in  2020. 

Leonardo  has  a  track  record  in  ASW  technology,  originally  providing  the  OTS-90  acoustic  system  for Italian  and  Dutch  NH90  Naval  Frigate  Helicopters.  The  Company  has  taken  the  experience  gained  from this  work  and  used  it  to  develop  the  new  ULISSES  processor,  packing  enhanced  functionality  into  a much  smaller  unit  weighing  just  6.5kg.  Combined  with  market-leading  sonobuoys  from  Ultra  and advanced  HELRAS  and  Firefly  dipping  sonars  from  L3,  Leonardo  is  now  able  to  offer  a  highlycompetitive  integrated  acoustic  system  to  a  range  of  international  users.  A  reduction  in  system  weight compared  to  legacy  systems  means  that  ULISSES  can  be  fitted  on-board  even  very  small  unmanned platforms  such  as  the  Company’s  own  SD-150  Hero  rotary-wing  aircraft.   

Notably,  the  new  system  is  able  to  deliver  multistatic  functionality,  where  the  processor  collects  data from  multiple  sonobuoys  and  combines  the  information  to  develop  an  in-depth  picture  of  the  under-sea environment,  including  detailed  location  data  of  any  potentially  threatening  vessels.  Multistatic functionality  invented  and  developed  by  Ultra  is  embedded  in  the  ULISSES  sonobuoy  processor. Currently,  Ultra  is  the  only  company  to  provide  miniaturized  sonobuoys  fitted  for  multistatic  operation which  are  suitable  for  small  UAV  applications  and  Leonardo  will  be  the  first  company  to  offer  a  system which  makes  use  of  them.  The  ULISSES  system  can  also  use  the  very-low-frequency  L3  HELRAS dipping  sonar  as  an  active  source,  improving  its  multistatic  performance  and  delivering  the  bestpossible  information  to  operators.   

Leonardo and the Italian Air Force launch “International Flight Training School” initiative: expertise and advanced technology serving military pilot trainees

- The collaboration between Leonardo  and the Italian Air Force would be  further extended to training of pilots in  the fixed-wing, rotary-wing and unmanned domains   
- Leonardo  is the leading  international training  solutions provider, with  products covering the entire training  syllabus from basic, with the new M-345, to advanced and lead-in fighter  training with the M-346

Rome, 17th  July  2018  –  Leonardo’s CEO, Alessandro  Profumo, and the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli, today signed  a collaboration agreement that  will strengthen the training services already offered  by the Air Force’s 61st Wing  and will  establish an all  new “International  Flight Training School” (IFTS) to  support military pilot training. The agreement was  signed at an official ceremony held today at the Farnborough  International Air Show in London,  UK. 

The IFTS will ensure the  further growth  and internationalization of the Italian Air Force’s training school while at the same time increasing its  capabilities and the range of pilot training  solutions offered to the customers.  The IFTS will leverage the existing training assets  and expertise in advanced military pilot training  of the Italian Air  Force in addition to Leonardo supplying four  additional M-346 aircraft, new systems and services starting from 2019. 

Based on the current plan, the IFTS  will be able to deliver courses for Italian  Air Force and international Air Force crews, fulfilling the training demands for military pilots  worldwide. Starting from 2021, the Italian Air Force’s entire advanced  and pre-operational training syllabus  will be moved to a  new, dedicated facility.

In order to maximize the success  of  this initiative, Leonardo  has been in discussions with two major international players and leading  companies in the  training sector, Babcock International  Group Plc and CAE, with  the aim to reinforce  IFTS capabilities. 

Alessandro  Profumo, Leonardo’s CEO, said: “as recently announced in  our industrial  plan, and thanks to the agreement with the Italian Air  Force,  we’re  officially entering the fighter  pilot training  service business. The International Flight Training School is based on a solid collaboration programme between Leonardo and  the Italian Air Force and the resulting operational synergies  will allow us to seize new  market opportunities and develop international  collaborations. We plan  to extend  this business model to cover training across  fixed-wing, rotary-wing and remotely-piloted platforms.”     

Italian Air Force Chief of  Staff, Lt. Gen.  Enzo Vecciarelli, said:  “this initiative is the result of our desire to join  two national champions to generate synergies  for  the benefit of the Nation.  The Italian Air Force  will strengthen its commitment in the advanced training  field, developing  a new  cooperation model with Leonardo.  The ongoing training programmes will benefit from new resources, including new trainers provided by Leonardo at no additional cost to  the Air  Force. This will  maximize  the quality of our military training pilots, who will fly 4th  and 5th  generation fighters.  It  will also meet the growing demand for training services from  international partners”.   

The Italian Air Force’s  advanced training syllabus,  based around Leonardo’s innovative integrated training system, has already  been demonstrated to be  modular  and  versatile among  pilots of several nations and  meeting the  needs of different air forces. The  syllabus meets the requirements of  Air Forces whose trainees have undertaken training modules for fourth and fifth generation fighters with the 61° Stormo at Galatina Air Base (Lecce). 

Leonardo’s integrated  training system is based on  the M-346  jet, designated  the T-346A by the  Italian Air Force. It is the backbone  of the  61° Wing, which trains pilots and instructors from Italy and nations such as the  USA, Spain, France,  Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Argentina, Greece and Kuwait. The  M-346 has already been  purchased  by  Italy, Israel, Singapore  and Poland for a combined order book of  72 units.   

Operational training, carried out by the Italian Air  Force with the T-346A, prepares pilots to transition  to the latest-generation combat aircraft including the  Eurofighter  and the F-35. The Galatina Air Force Base is also equipped  with live-virtual-constructive  (LVC) training technologies, including advanced CAE-built M-346 full-mission simulators. Leonardo’s  LVC enables trainees  on the ground to interact with pilots in  the air, flying real aircraft,  during the same training missions.     

MILESTONE AVIATION AND LEONARDO AWARDED ARAMCO MEDIUM HELICOPTER RENEWAL PROGRAM INCLUDING 21 AW139

Dublin,  Ireland  –  July  16,  2018  –  Milestone  Aviation  Group  Limited  (“Milestone”), a  GECAS  company  and the global leader in  helicopter leasing,  and  Leonardo  today  announce  they  have  been  selected to  renew the  medium helicopter  fleet  of  Aramco  Overseas Company, a  subsidiary  of  Saudi Aramco  (“Aramco”)  –  a fully  integrated, global  petroleum  and  chemicals enterprise.  Leonardo  and  Milestone  have  signed a contract  for 17  Leonardo  AW139  helicopters  plus  4  options,  and  Aramco  expects  to  take  delivery  of  a total  of  21  aircraft  over  the  next  three  years,  starting  this year. 

Aramco  awarded  the  contract  to  Milestone  and  Leonardo  through  a  competitively  tendered process. Milestone’s financial  stability,  the  outstanding  capabilities  of the  modern  and  proven AW139  and  ability of both partners to  deliver  were  key  to  meeting  the  needs  of the  program.  Further,  Milestone’s  leasing solution  encompassing  the  entire  medium  fleet  presented  a compelling  solution,  enabling  the  energy company  to  invest  in  their  operations. 

Executives  from  Milestone,  Leonardo  and  Aramco  commemorate  award  of  fleet  renewal  program. 

Milestone  is  the  largest  owner  or  financier  of civil  Leonardo  helicopters  in the  world, leasing  its  first Leonardo  helicopter  in  2010.  Its  fleet  will  exceed  100  Leonardo  helicopters  following  the  completion  of this transaction.  Milestone’s  relationship  with  Aramco  began  in  2016  with  the  lease  of  three  new AW139s,  then the  energy  company’s first  helicopter  lease  transaction.   

“We appreciate  Aramco’s  trust  in  Milestone  and  are  delighted  to  enable  this significant  fleet  renewal program  with  a  uniquely  tailored  operating  lease  solution,”  said  Milestone  President &  CEO  Daniel Rosenthal. “We  credit  our  highly  productive  relationship  with Leonardo  and  their very  strong  family  of aircraft  for allowing  us  to  meet  the  complex  introduction  into  service  and  operating  requirements  of  the customer.” 

One of  the  largest  operators of  Leonardo  helicopters  in  the  Middle East,  Aramco  has been  operating  a fleet  of  14  AW139  intermediate  twin engine  helicopters since  2008  and  seven AW109  light  twins  since 2006,  mainly  to  perform  offshore  transport  missions  in  Saudi Arabia in  support  of the  oil  and  gas industry.  With  these  new  AW139s,  Aramco’s fleet  renewal program  ensures the  operator  maintains advanced technology, class  leading  performance,  reliability, safety,  versatility  and  cabin  space.  The aircraft has  outstanding  one  engine  inoperative  capabilities,  even  in hot  and  high  operating  conditions, making  it  ideally  suited for  Aramco’s  operations.  The  AW139  can  perform  a  wide  range  of  roles,  and  the 21  deliveries  to  Aramco  will include  oil  and  gas,  and  search  and  rescue  (SAR)  configurations. 

Leonardo signs five-year support contract with UK MoD for pre-flight threat simulation equipment for multiple UK air platforms

•  Leonardo will  provide  5  years  support  for  its  sophisticated  threat  simulation  and ‘capability  assurance’  equipment  already  in  operation  with  UK  Typhoon,  Tornado,  Merlin, Wildcat,  Chinook  and  C130J  platforms 

•  This  unique  capability  assurance  solution  is  delivered  by  Leonardo  through  the  supply  of specialist  RF-emitting  equipment  that  ensures  a  defensive  aids  suite  will  work  correctly during  a  mission 

•  Leonardo  is  the  UK  Ministry  of  Defence’s  partner  of  choice  for  the  protection  of  air platforms  and  their  crews.  Being  highly  valued  by  customers  and  delivering  reliable services  are  two  of  the  reasons  why  Leonardo  is  expected  to  deliver  sustainable  growth, as  laid  out  in  the  2018-2022  Industrial  Plan 

London,  2  July  2018  –  Leonardo  has  been  awarded  a  post-design  support  contract  by  the  UK Ministry  of  Defence  which  will  see  the  Company  provide  in-service  support  for  its  pre-flight  threat simulation  equipment,  currently  being  used  on  the  Typhoon,  Tornado,  Merlin,  Wildcat,  Chinook  and C130J  platforms.  The  contract  builds  upon  the  previous  10  years  of  support  delivered  by  Leonardo and  will  run  over  a  five  year  period  from  2018  until  2022. 

Leonardo’s  threat  simulation  equipment  has  been  designed  and  developed  in  the  UK  in  partnership with  the  MOD,  using  state-of-the-art  Radio-Frequency  (RF)  technology  to  provide  a  wide  range  of stimulation  and  test  capabilities.   

The  equipment  uses  special  RF-emitting  ‘hoods’  and  handheld  devices  to  target  the  particular platform’s  sensors  and  simulates  threats  using  real  radar  energy  whilst  the  aircraft  is  still  grounded. By  performing  this  preliminary  check,  the  user  gains  increased  confidence  that  the  platform’s  RF defensive  systems  are  operationally  effective  before  embarking  on  a  mission.   

The  majority  of  Defensive  Aids  Suites  (DAS)  on  air  platforms  come  with  ready  installed  ‘built-intest-equipment’  (BITE),  which  signals  to  the  pilot  that  the  equipment  is  working  as  designed. However,  throughout  the  life  of  an  aircraft,  and  with  each  mission  it  executes,  undetected  problems can  emerge  as  the  aircraft  receives  ongoing  maintenance.  For  instance,  in  some  cases  the  RF antenna  degrades.  These  issues  may  not  be  identified  by  the  BITE,  meaning  the  installation  is  not operationally  effective.  As  a  result  of  this,  limited  or  incorrect  information  could  be  provided  to  the pilot  by  the  system,  endangering  the  crew.  Leonardo’s  equipment  closes  this  gap,  providing improved  ‘capability  assurance’  throughout  a  platform’s  operational  life. 

ELDIG’s Chairmanship Passes From Leonardo to Rheinmetall

Paris,  11  June  2018  –  Leonardo’s  Defence  Systems  Division  Managing  Director  Gianpiero  Lorandi has  passed  the  Chairmanship  of  the  European  Land  Defence  Industry  Group  (ELDIG),  to  Thomas Weise,  Rheinmetall  Group’s  Head  of  EU  and  NATO  Affairs.  The  handover  took  place  during Eurosatory  on  Leonardo’s  stand.  ELDIG’s  Chairmanship  rotates  within  the  Group  member companies  every  two  years.   

ELDIG  serves  as  a  sectorial  group  for  the  land  defence  industry  under  the  Aerospace  and  Defence Industries  Association  of  Europe  (ASD),  which  represents  more  than  3,000  companies  in  19 nations  with  847,700  employees.  ELDIG  represents  over  100,000  employees  and  it  aims  to strengthen  the  land  industries’  position  in  Europe  and  support  the  relationship  and  dialogue  with EU  authorities  and  institutions. 

“These  last  two  years  have  been  quite  intense  and  productive,  which  allowed  us  to  accomplish  our goals  satisfactorily  regardless  of  this  period  of  significant  change  in  the  European  defence  and security  industry.  Following  the  launch  in  June  2017  of  a  European  defence  Fund,  ELDIG succesfully  supported  cooperation  of  the  initiatives  funded  by  the  European  Union  and implemented  by  the  European  Defence  Agency”,  said  Gianpiero  Lorandi,  former  Chairman  of ELDIG.  “We  have  worked  to  transform  ELDIG,  in  order  to  improve  the  integration  of  our  Sectorial Group  into  the  wider  ASD  dynamics.  Now  I  am  happy  to  handover  the  lead  of  ELDIG  to  Dr.Thomas Weise  of  Rheinmetall  and  wish  him  well  with  the  challenges  ahead.  I  also  want  to  express  my deepest  gratitude  and  appreciation  to  the  members  of  ELDIG  for  their  professionalism,  for  their friendly  cooperation  and  for  the  impressive  results  achieved  during  Leonardo’s  presidency”.   

ASD  Secretary  General,  Jan  Pie,  commented:  “Cooperation  is  the  core  of  our  Association  and  its industry  representatives  are  essential  in  this  effort.  Therefore,  I  would  like  to  warmly  thank  Mr Lorandi  for  the  excellent  work  he  has  done  during  his  chairmanship.  It  was  fortunate  for  us  to  rely on  his  leadership  in  our  discussion  related  to  European  Defence,  especially  to  European  Land Defence  Industry.  I  would  also  like  to  congratulate  Dr.  Thomas  Weise  of  his  assumption  of  the chair  of  the  ELDIG.  I  am  confident  that  under  Mr  Weise’s  guidance,  we  will  continue  to  strengthen ASD’s  development  as  a  driving  force  for  our  sector”. 

Leonardo announces the first satellite-controlled European MALE-class drone flight

•  A flight  campaign  saw  Leonardo’s  innovative,  proprietary  satellite-based  solution  used  to operate  Piaggio  Aerospace’s  P.1HH  HammerHead  drone,  demonstrating  the  ability  to control  unmanned  platforms  beyond  the  range  of  ground-based  radio  coverage 

•  The drone’s  ground  station  linked  up  with  the  Athena-Fidus  satellite,  which  is  managed by  Telespazio’s  Fucino  Space  Centre,  to  operate  the  aircraft,  its  onboard  systems  and  its sensors.  The  satellite  link  was  also  used  to  receive  the  data  acquired  in-flight 

•  Leonardo  is  a  key  player  in  the  development  of  drone-based  capabilities,  products,  and services.  The  Company  is  involved  in  all  of  the  main  national  and  international  initiatives seeking  to  standardise  and  regulate  the  sector

Rome,  23  May  2018  –  The  first  flight  campaign  to  demonstrate  satellite  control  of  a  European-built MALE-class  (Medium  Altitude  Long  Endurance)  drone  has  been  completed  successfully.  A  team comprising  Telespazio  (Leonardo  67%,  Thales  33%)  and  Piaggio  Aerospace  carried  out  the  activity using  a  remotely-piloted  P.1HH  HammerHead  aircraft  as  the  test  bed,  developing  and  integrating capabilities  that  will  enable  drones  to  safely  fly  in  unsegregated  air  space,  beyond  the  range  of  groundbased  radio  coverage  (called  BRLOS  -  Beyond  Radio  Line  Of  Sight).

The  campaign  was  carried  out  at  Birgi  airport  in  Trapani,  Italy  in  order  to  evaluate  the  efficacy  of  the satellite  technology  for  various  dual-use  applications  under  realistic  conditions.  The  flights  are  in  line with  the  objectives  of  the  DeSIRE  II  European  research  project,  led  by  Telespazio  and  jointly  initiated by  the  European  Space  Agency  (ESA)  and  European  Defence  Agency  (EDA). DeSIRE  II  (https://business.esa.int/projects/desire-ii)  will  support  European  standardisation  and regulatory  activities  in  the  drone  sector.

Telespazio,  a  subsidiary  of  Leonardo  and  a  leader  in  Space  services,  has  developed  a  two-way  satellite communication  network  which  was  used  during  the  flight  campaign.  Control  data  from  the  ground station  was  transmitted  to  remotely  operate  the  P.1HH  and  its  on-board  sensors  and  systems,  while data  collected  by  the  drone  during  flight  was  returned  to  the  ground  station  via  the  same  network.  The system  made  use  of  the  Athena-Fidus  satellite  resources,  managed  by  Telespazio’s  Fucino  Space Centre. 

The  success  of  this  set  of  trials  reinforces  Leonardo’s  position  as  a  key  player  in  the  development  of drone-based  capabilities,  products,  and  services,  with  this  campaign  proving  the  Company’s  ability  to support  flights  of  unmanned  systems  in  BRLOS  mode.  The  activities  also  represent  a  step  towards  a future  where  remotely-piloted  aircraft  are  used  to  support  public  services,  such  as  environmental monitoring,  surveillance,  and  emergency  management. 

Leonardo Congratulates Royal Canadian Air Force “Rescue 901” Crew from 103 Squadron Gander, on Winning the 2017 Cormorant Trophy

- Rescue in 10-metre  waves  and 110 km/h  winds,  250  km  offshore

- SARTechs repeatedly  lowered  to  frigid  water  to rescue  fishing  crew

- All five of  fishing  vessel  crew  rescued  safely 

Rome,  22  May  2018  –  Leonardo  congratulates  the  Royal  Canadian  Air  Force  crew  of  search  and rescue  helicopter  “Rescue  901”  for  winning  this  year’s  Cormorant  Trophy  for  the  rescue  of  five crewmen  forced  to abandon a  fishing vessel  250  km  offshore  in  fierce weather  and  rough seas. The  recipients  from  103  Squadron  at  CFB  Gander  are:                
- Major  Jim  Pinhorn,  Aircraft  Commander 

- Captain Nicole Lively,  First  Officer 

- Master  Corporal  Sean O’Callaghan,  Flight  Engineer 

- Sergeant  Damien  Robison,  Search  and  Rescue  Technician  (SARTech)  Lead 

- Master  Corporal  Anthony  Bullen,  SARTech  Member 

The  selfless  heroism  displayed  by  the  team  onboard  Rescue  901  in  this  monumental  rescue  of the  crew  of  the  Fishing  Vessel  Northern  Provider  exemplifies  the  efforts  of  all  RCAF  search  and rescue  crews  each  and  every  time  they  head  off  into  danger  to  put  their  lives  on  the  line  to  save Canadians  from  coast-to-coast-to-coast,”  said  Mark  Fair,  Canadian  Customer  Support,  Leonardo Helicopters.    Fair  presented  the  Cormorant  Trophy  to  the  recipients  recently  in  a  ceremony  at  CFB Gander. 

“It  is  an  honour  to  be  recognized  for  the  actions  of  our  crew  during  this  rescue  mission,”  said  Major Pinhorn,  who  is  also  Commanding  Officer  of  103  Squadron.  “The  men  and  women  of  103  (SAR) Squadron,  as  well  as  those  from  search  and  rescue  organizations  all  across  Canada,  routinely exhibit  professionalism  and  make  tremendous  sacrifices  in  order  to  ensure  that  they  successfully fulfill  their  respective SAR  mandates.   

“To  have  been  selected  from  such  an  accomplished  group  is  truly  special  for  the  members  of  our crew,  as well  as the  squadron  at  large,”  said Pinhorn. 

From  the  moment  the  Halifax  Joint  Rescue  Coordination  Centre  received  the  distress  call  from  the FV  Northern  Provider  on  March  5,  2017,  the  Rescue  901  SAR  team  knew  they  had  a  tough  time ahead.  The  boat  was  250  km  offshore  in  10-metre-high  waves  with  wind  gusts  over  110  kmh.  The crew  stripped  the  AW101  Cormorant  helicopter  of  non-essential  equipment  to  maximize  fuel  and the  amount  of  time  they  could stay  on  the  rescue  scene. 

As  the  Rescue  901  crew  arrived  on  scene,  they  saw  the  fishing  vessel  being  tossed  in  different directions  at  the  mercy  of  the  sea.  Multiple  obstacles  on  the  ship  from  fishing  equipment  and  sea ice  meant  changing  the  original  plan  to  lower  a  rescue  hoist  to  pick  up  the  fisherman.  Instead,  the fishermen  would have to  jump  into  the  freezing  water  and be  picked  up  one-by-one. 

This  was  no  easy  task  as  Robison  and  Bullen  alternated  rescues,  dangling  from  the  end  of  a  hoist, being  slammed  and  dragged  by  the  waves  and  ice  chunks.    Throughout  the  rescue  Pinhorn  and Lively  worked  hard  to  keep  the  helicopter  over  the  rescue  scene,  rising  and  falling  with  the  waves as  O’Callaghan  wrestled  with  the  hoist  line  trying  to  guide  the  SARTechs  to  the  fishermen.  At  one point,  one  of  the  SARTechs  immersion  suit  was  ripped,  but  he  continued  to  work  the  rescues despite the  cold water  entering  his  suit. 

Eventually  all  five  fishermen  were  hoisted  into  the  Cormorant  helicopter  and  all  flew  safely  back  to Gander,  abandoning the  fishing vessel. 

About  the  Cormorant  Trophy: 

The  Cormorant  Trophy  was  commissioned  by  Leonardo  (formerly  AgustaWestland)  in  2002  as  a trophy  to  be  presented  annually  to  a  Canadian  civilian,  government  or  military  helicopter  crew performing  the  most  demanding  helicopter  rescue  of  the  year.   

Leonardo showcases training technologies and services at ITEC 2018

AW101 Unit Level Training Device

- Leonardo  is  showcasing  at  ITEC  2018  its  wide  range of  training  technologies  and services for  land,  naval  and air  systems. 

- Learn about  new  helicopter  training  courses  available and  experience Leonardo’s generic and  type  specific Virtual  Maintenance  Trainer  (VMT)  for  aircraft  avionic systems.  

- Leonardo’s  training  products and  capabilities  in  the  land  and naval  sectors  will  be  able  to be  viewed  and  experienced  by  visitors  using  a  virtual  immersive training  tool. 

- Telespazio VEGA  Deutschland  is demonstrating  its  latest  simulation-based  military training  systems  including  the  company’s  involvement  in  the  NH90  and  CH-53  helicopter programmes. 

Stuttgart,  15  May  2018  –  Visitors  to  ITEC  2018  in  Stuttgart,  Germany  will  be  able  to  learn  about Leonardo’s  latest  training  technologies  and  services  for  a  wide  range  of  land,  naval  and  air systems. Leonardo  will  be  showcasing  the  training  courses  and services available for  its  AW101  and AW159 helicopters.  This  includes  courses  delivered  at  its  UK  Training  Academy  in  Yeovil  which  is equipped  with  interactive  electronic  classrooms,  part  task  training  systems  and  practical  training devices.  Leonardo  also  delivers  extensive  training  services  to  the  UK  MoD  for  the  AW159  Wildcat helicopter  which  includes  the  use  of  full  flight  simulators  for  the  aircrew  and  full  scale  mechanical and  electronic/avionic  training  systems  for  the  technicians. For  the  AW101  Leonardo  has  recently established a  new  training  centre in  Norway  with a  full  flight  simulator. 

In 2018  Leonardo  is  launching  a new  set  of  training  courses  aimed  at  helping  its  military  customers maximise  the  capability  provided  by  their  helicopters.  Following  reviews  with  our  customers,  new courses  have  been  developed  specifically  for  managers  and  administrators  including  the  principles of  fleet  management,  flight  safety  officer,  human  factors,  effective  event  investigation,  effective event  review  group  and  documentation  management. 

On  the  Leonardo  stand  you  will  be  able  to  experience  our  generic  Virtual  Maintenance  Trainer (VMT),  discuss its  capabilities and how  Leonardo  can  meet  your  specific  training  requirements. 

The  complexity  of  modern  Gen3/Gen4  aircraft  means  that  1st  line  technicians  need  to  be  highly trained  and  competent  to  operate  these  aircraft  systems  to  determine  and  maintain  their serviceability.  Leonardo’s  synthetic  VMT  solutions  deliver  high  quality  training  with  major  costs savings  over  traditional  training  methods.  

The  VMT  uses  synthetically  modelled  avionics  equipment,  not  specific  to  any  particular  aircraft type,  to  train  technicians  from  school  leaver  level  up  to  avionics  mechanics  level  without  using  real aircraft  or  systems.  This  generic  training  is  applicable  to  fast  jet,  rotary  wing  and  multi-engine aircraft  and  is  in-use  with  the  UK’s  Royal  Air  Force.  Leonardo  also  provides  type  specific  avionic VMT  solutions  to  a number  of  F-16  customers  around the  world. 

Leonardo’s  training  products  and  capabilities  in  the  land  and  naval  sectors  will  be  able  to  be viewed  and experienced  by  visitors  using  the  virtual  immersive training  tool,  Morpheus,  through the catalogue  tool  and  various  gaming  scenarios.  One  example  is  a  VR  simulator  to  conduct  O  &  Ilevel  training  &  qualification  for  a  76mm  naval  gun,  although  the  technology  can  be  applied  to  all types  of  equipment. 

Leonardo  will  also  be  presenting  a  paper:  ‘eXtended  Reality  applied  to  the  design  of  integrated naval  multi-sensor  suite’  at  the  ITEC  2018  Advanced  Engineering  Conference  on  15th  May  2018  at 14.00. 

Telespazio  VEGA  Deutschland,  a  subsidiary  of  Telespazio,  a  joint  venture  between  Leonardo (67%)  and  Thales  (33%),  is  exhibiting  on  the  Leonardo  stand  its  latest  simulation-based  military training  systems  including  the  company’s  involvement  in  the  NH90  and  CH-53  helicopter programmes. 

For  the  NH90  product  line,  Telespazio  VEGA  Deutschland  is  showing  its  Virtual  Maintenance Trainer  developed  for  four  European  Nations  and  currently  in  use  for  five  helicopter  variants;  as well  as the  Aircraft  Systems  Trainer  developed  for  the  Australian  variant  of  the  helicopter,  MRH90. 

Telespazio  VEGA  Deutschland  will  also  show  its  CH-53  Cockpit  Procedure  Trainer  (CPT)  which supports  all  version  and  variants  of  the  CH-53  family  used  by  the  German  Bundeswehr.  The company  had  previously  developed  the  CPT  for  the  GA  version  and  was  commissioned  in  2017  to develop  the  CPT  for  the  GS/GE  modernised  versions of  the  CH-53. 

Visitors  to  ITEC  are  invited  to  visit  Leonardo’s  stand  to  see  the  expanding  range  of  training systems  and  new  training  technologies  that  it  has  available,  ranging  from  training  aids  to  the delivery  of  complete  end-to-end  training  services for  land,  naval  and air  systems. 

Airbus,  Dassault  Aviation  and  Leonardo  reaffirm  their  total commitment  in  the  first  fully  European  MALE  programme.   

- Reveal full scale model at ILA Berlin Air  Show  2018.

- Programme  fosters  development of high technologies in Europe. 

- Optimises budgetary  situation through  pooling research and   development  funding. 

Berlin  26th  April  2018  –  The  first  full  scale  model  of  the  European  Medium-Altitude  LongEndurance  Remotely  Piloted  Aircraft  (MALE  RPAS)  was  unveiled  today  during  a  ceremony held at  the  2018  ILA  Berlin Air  Show,  which opened  its  gates  at  Schönefeld airport.     
The  reveal  ceremony,  led  by  Dirk  Hoke,  Airbus  Defence  and  Space  Chief  Executive  Officer (CEO),  Eric  Trappier,  Dassault  Aviation  Chairman  and  CEO  and  Lucio  Valerio  Cioffi, Leonardo’s  Aircraft  Division  Managing  Director,  confirms  the  commitment  of  the  four European  States  and  Industrial  partners  to  jointly  develop  a  sovereign  solution  for  European Defence and  Security. 

The  unveiling  of  the  full  scale  model  and  the  reaffirmed  commitment  comes  after  a  nearly two-year  definition  study  launched  in  September  2016  by  the  four  participating  nations Germany,  France,  Italy  and  Spain  and  follows  the  Declaration  of  Intent  to  work  together  on  a European MALE  unmanned aerial  system  signed  by  the  countries in  May  2015. 

“While  still  a  lot  of  work  lies  ahead  of  us,  this  full  scale  model  represents  a  first  milestone  of what  Europe  can  achieve  in  a  high-technology  sector  if  it  bundles  its  industrial  strength  and know-how  ”  said  Dirk  Hoke,  CEO  of  Airbus  Defence  and  Space.    “The  MALE  RPAS  will become  an  integral  part  in  guaranteeing  Europe’s  sovereignty  in  the  future.  This  programme is  ideally  suited  to  meet  urgent  capability  requirements  of  Europe’s  armed  forces.  This innovative  partnership  also  eases  the  countries’  constrained  budgetary  situation  through clever  pooling  of  research and development  funds.”  He added.   

“Today’s  unveiling  reflects  our  companies’  total  dedication  to  the  European  Defence  and Security  sovereignty.  Cooperation  and  high  technology  legitimate  the  leadership  of  the European  Industry  and  guarantee  the  strategic  autonomy  of  Europe.”  declared  Eric  Trappier, Chairman  and  CEO  of  Dassault  Aviation.  “Innovative  programmes  through  efficient partnerships  will  serve  European  competitiveness  and  will  offer  new  alternatives  to  the  offthe-shelf  acquisition  of  non-European  products.  Dassault  Aviation  reaffirms  its  full  support  to Airbus  Defence  and Space as  programme leader  of  the  MALE  RPAS.” 

“Unmanned  technologies  and  their  applications  represent  one  of  the  key  technological foundations for  the  future  evolution  of  European  Defence Industries”  said  Lucio  Valerio  Cioffi, Leonardo’s  Aircraft  Division  Managing  Director.  “The  European  MALE  RPAS  is  orientated  to foster  the  development  of  high  technologies  and  will  contribute  to  sustaining  key competencies  and  jobs  within  Europe  providing  Armed  Forces  with  an  high  performance  and sovereign operational  system”  he  added. 

About  the  MALE  RPAS programme   

First  unmanned  aerial  system  designed  for  flight  in  non-segregated  airspace,  its  characteristics  will  include mission  modularity  for operational  superiority  in  intelligence,  surveillance  and  reconnaissance,  both  wide  area  and in-theatre. 

The  nation’s  agreement  on  the  air  vehicle  configuration  in  mid-2017,  selecting  a  twin-turboprop  propulsion system,  will  supply  ample  on-board  energy  for  the  mission  system,  and  provide  proper  redundancy  to  limit restrictions  when  operating  over  European  densely  populated  ground  and  unrestricted  airspaces.  In  January 2018,  the  MALE  RPAS  successfully  passed  System  Requirements  Review  (SRR),  which  initiated  the  second phase  of  the  definition  study  to  lead  to  a  System  Preliminary  Design  Review  (SyPDR),  scheduled  for  the  end  of this  year.   

The  SyPDR  will  demonstrate  the  quality  and  fitness  for  the  proposed  design.  “Air  Traffic  Integration”  and certification  are  key  objectives,  giving  the  participating  States  full  confidence  that  the  development  step  can  be launched  with  acceptable  residual  risks. Preparations  for  the  next  stage  (development,  production  and  initial  in-service  support)  are  already  well  under way.  Entry-into-service  of  European  MALE RPAS is  planned  for the  middle  of  the  next  decade.