At the Dubai Airshow taking place from 14th November to 18th November, Italian headquartered, Leonardo a global aerospace and defense firm, is unveiling its AW609 tiltrotor. The firm’s participation at the air show is focused on the futuristic flight and advanced electronics features in the aerospace.
The firm is all set to welcoming the visitors to its stand (booth 530 – UK Pavilion) and an outdoor static area (Pavilion S19) within the event for overviewing them with most advanced technologies, comprising of tiltrotor in the market set to receive civil certification.
Leonardo pavilion will also feature high-tech equipment on cards comprising of advanced electronics, helicopters, and defense technologies.
As per the firm’s statement, Leonardo to enjoy a privilege of having close ties between Leonardo with their native partners and AW609 tiltrotor presence at Dubai Airshow 2021, marks the firm’s initial appearance at an aerospace and defense exhibition outside Europe and the USA.
As per the Leonardo’s statement, AW609 tiltrotor’s core feature that distinguishes it from other defence equipment’s is its impressive and unique capacity for changing the position of their two rotors in less than 60 seconds, and taking-off vertically like a helicopter, while also being able to perform in-flight operations like an aeroplane.
AW609 tiltrotor, on display at the event was flown to Dubai for the opening ceremony of the innovative helicopter terminal and was indigenously built by Leonardo along with Falcon Aviation partnership at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. The firm also launched ‘Agusta’, bolstering the iconic helicopter brand as the marker for Leonardo’s VIP transportation merchandize and services.
Statement from Leonardo Chief Commercial Officer, Pasquale Di Bartolomeo
In 2019, the Dubai Airshow was the last major Aerospace and Defence event before the pandemic – stated Pasquale Di Bartolomeo, Leonardo Chief Commercial Officer –: and this year’s edition, taking place as we start to emerge from the global emergency caused by Covid-19, is going to be an important showcase for Leonardo.”
He further added few points to his statement that, “We are sure that the event will be a success even in a time of ongoing caution, just like the Emirati government’s hugely impressive and safe Expo 2020 Dubai which Leonardo is currently proudly contributing to. Our partners in the UAE and in the whole Middle East continue to be of great importance to Leonardo and we believe that the Dubai Airshow will give us the chance to further strengthen these ties and pursue a range of business opportunities.”
As per the firm’s reports, it can also be able to carry numerous operations and missions that ranges from passenger transport and medical care to civil protection, emergency search and rescue. AW609 tiltrotor can also fly at over 500Km/h and has a range of 1,400 Km surging over to 2,000 Km with utilization of auxiliary tanks.
Leonardo’s Other Defense and Aerospace Gadgets on display at Dubai Airshow 2021 and key features
As per the Leonardo’s statement, other defense, and aerospace equipment’s on display at the (booth 530 – UK Pavilion) area, will be its gold-standard aircraft protection technology in the form of BriteCloud and Miysis DIRCM as well as advanced electronics for airborne surveillance, characterized by its Osprey AESA radar and SAGE electronic support measures system.
BriteCloud is a countermeasure for combat, transport and special mission aircraft offering latest- stealth generation protection from radar-guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. Fired like a flare, it encompasses a powerful miniature jammer that scores incoming missiles towards BriteCloud as it falls away from the aircraft, ensuring that the missile detonates far away from its intended target.
Then for security against InfraRed (IR)-guided threats, Leonardo’s Miysis DIRCM utilize a high-powered laser to ‘dazzle’ incoming missiles, forcing them away from their intended target.
Leonardo’s decades of expertise in laser and precision targeting empowers this to happen at whirlwind speed, permitting Miysis to defend against multiple, simultaneous incoming missiles.
Ensuring that aircraft crews have access to the highest level of situational awareness, the Osprey radar offers multi-domain AESA capabilities, meaning it can support a wide variety of missions and provide maximum field of view on a variety of platforms – be they fixed wing, rotary wing or uncrewed.
For clients overviewing an electronic intelligence prospect, the Leonardo’s SAGE system distributes a unique level of situational awareness to operators. Notably, the system has been integrated into the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and is being offered to customers as a fully integrated capability on-board that system.
Leonardo’s technologies have been contributing to the security and defence of the Emirates for over fifty years and the Company continues to work – via its local branch in Abu Dhabi – with the UAE government, Armed Forces, and partners.
Leonardo technologies have equipped Emiri Armed Forces as far back as the mid ‘70s, with the supply of SF-260 basic trainers and OTO 76/62 naval guns. Since then, Leonardo has provided integrated naval systems for combat management, defence systems, naval radars, fire control systems, missile electronics and military radios for more than 40 ships in the UAE, comprising of Ghannatha, Baynunah, Falaj 2 and Abu Dhabi-class corvettes.
Based on this track record, last February Leonardo announced it submitted an offer to Tawazun proposing itself as partner for the design and development of the UAE national Combat Management System, which will be the pillar of the UAE Navy’s future naval assets and it will ensure the legacy for the progressive upgrade the existing fleet.
Leonardo high-tech platforms in the UAE include more than 100 helicopters, secure communications applications, space technologies and training aircraft, including the Aermacchi MB-339 jet trainer, chosen for Emirati national aerobatic team Al Fursan. Leonardo is proud that the Al Fursan pilots have trained in Italy, using the company’s aircraft and teaching systems.
Leonardo a global leader in the training sector thanks to its M-345 and M-346 and can cover the entire pilot training syllabus. The lagtest Fighter Attack version of the M-346, already delivered to its first global clients, retains all the characteristics of the advanced trainer version while also being a light fighter aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of operational missions at far lower costs than other front-line fighters.
As advanced pilot training continues to be needed in the region, Leonardo is ready to host students at the International Flight Training School (IFTS), a strategic collaboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo. Just a few weeks ago the IFTS announced its third customer and an expanded IFTS campus is under construction at Decimomannu Air Force Base in Sardinia.
This will be an advanced flight academy able to host students and technical staff, with facilities including accommodation, recreational areas, a cafeteria, and sports facilities. Its infrastructure will underpin the operations of a fleet of 22 M-346 aircraft (designated T-346A by the Italian Air Force). An entire building will be home to the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), with classrooms and a modern training system based on latest- generation simulation equipment.
Press Release received on mail by Leonardo
