LEONARDO AT LAAD WITH MULTI-DOMAIN PLATFORMS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Leonardo is participating in the 13th edition of LAAD (Latin America Aerospace & Defence) Defense & Security, in Rio de Janeiro 11-14 April, the most important trade exhibition in Latin America.

After the recent selection of the Centauro II 120mm armoured vehicle made by the CIO Consortium - of which Leonardo has an equal share with Iveco Defense Vehicles – and in the frame of the Brazilian programme “VBC Cav - MSR 8×8”, the company is now focused on its land defence systems. This includes the 120mm HITFACT MkII, turret, already in service and in production, which has advanced performance in terms of effectiveness and connectivity. The system is able to respond to modern operational requirements such as modularity, digitization, and interoperability.

In naval electronics, with a decade of experience in the sector, Leonardo is able to supply and integrate solutions for naval defence and surveillance on board the latest- and next-generation platforms of different classes. Leonardo is also able to supply integrated systems for coastal and maritime surveillance, such as the VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management System), where each technological component plays a specific role within a net-centric architecture, which can include maritime and geospatial platforms, drones by Leonardo, such as those of the Falco family, and maritime patrol aircraft such as the ATR 72MP and the AW139. On board these aircraft, the ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation System) mission system integrates and manages the surveillance sensors, ensuring a high degree of interoperability and efficiency in the control of vast land and sea areas.

In the field of electronic warfare, Leonardo is presenting technologies and solutions for the protection of crews and aircraft, such as the BriteCloud countermeasure against radar-guided, surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles and the SAGE ESM (Electronic Support Measure) electronic intelligence system which can be installed on-board a wide range of aircraft.

To date, more than 190 helicopters are present in Brazil. The AW119Kx is the first single-engine light helicopter, and the only one fully certified, to meet all IFR (instrument flight rule) standards. The platform offers a modern avionics suite and a spacious interior to allow greater operational flexibility. The AW119Kx is able to offer exceptional controllability and manoeuvrability, even in the presence of high temperatures and at altitude. In operation with the Police Forces of Brazil and Argentina and the armed forces of Ecuador, the aircraft is ideal for emergency medical services (EMS) and rescue missions.

To cope with new threats, law enforcement agencies are called upon to operate in increasingly evolved ways. The AW169 is a unique and versatile vehicle that allows law enforcement professionals to intervene quickly in ever-changing and demanding missions. Exceptional in its multi-role capabilities, the AW169 is the ideal solution for missions such as surveillance, air support, drug trafficking, border patrol, medical evacuation and personnel recovery, natural disasters, SAR, fire-fighting and public utility services.

Simply unrivalled is the AW139 which boasts the impressive distinction of best-selling twin-engine helicopter in its class, with over 1,130 units in service with customers worldwide. The platform is an ideal replacement for the UH-1s present in the LATAM region, with its various configurations, including law enforcement, air ambulance, VIP transport, SAR, and offshore oil platform support.

Leonardo's positioning as a global leader in training is well underlined at LAAD with the M-346, an aircraft that enables young pilots to develop the knowledge, skills and practices necessary to ensure a transition to the most modern combat aircraft. The M-346 is the fulcrum of the International Flight Training School (IFTS) created by Leonardo and the Italian Air Force. Already chosen by the air forces of Qatar, Germany, Singapore and Japan, it was selected as the flagship campus for the NATO Flying Training in Europe (NFTE) project.

Widely recognised as the most effective multi-role military transport aircraft in its size class, the C-27J Next Generation features new avionics and aerodynamic developments for greater efficiency and improved operating performance. Used in the most challenging operational environments, from the high altitudes of the Andes to Afghanistan, the C-27J can be rapidly transformed into the configuration required for the relevant mission. As a ‘tactical airlifter’, the aircraft’s versatility extends from airlifts of troops and cargo to airdrops of paratroopers and materials, from medical battlefield evacuation to VIP transportation, from humanitarian assistance and natural disaster response to firefighting.

Leonardo's fixed-wing programmes also include the ATR 72MP, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, used to perform maritime patrol tasks even in particularly complex scenarios. The aircraft integrates the characteristics of reliability, maintainability, low life cycle cost and comfort of the ATR 72-600. It is also configurable for anti-submarine warfare (ASW - Anti Submarine Warfare), anti-surface (AsuW - Anti-surface Warfare) and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) roles.