On Leonardo's static area, for the helicopter sector, the AW149 is on display, the latest generation multi-mission helicopter, building on its recent international success in Poland with a contract for 32 units and currently offered to the UK Ministry of Defense for the NMH (New Medium Helicopter) requirement.
Also on display is an AW159 optimized for use at sea, a domain where Leonardo's excellence is also confirmed by the presence of the AWHERO remotely piloted system, with some of Leonardo's most important surveillance equipment and sensors, including the Gabbiano Ultra-Light.
In the trainer sector, the M-346 is also on display, a latest generation jet aircraft for pre-operational training, with use characteristics similar to those of combat aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F -35.
Currently in service with the Air Forces of Italy, the Republic of Singapore, Israel, Poland and Qatar, it has recently also been chosen by Greece. The M-346 is the protagonist of the new International Flight Training School (IFTS), born from the collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force, which already counts countries such as Qatar, Singapore, Germany and Japan among its customers.
Also on display is the light attack version of the new M-345, capable of carrying out operational roles in addition to the training activities of student pilots.
Finally, among the new generation technologies for digitization on board aircraft and helicopters, there is a wide range of CNI (Communication, Navigation, Identification) self-protection and avionics systems, including the new LOAM, optimized for use dual, to alert the crews of the presence of very small and hardly visible obstacles in the low-altitude helicopter flight, and the ULISSES anti-submarine acoustic system.
On its 600 square metres stand, the company showcases its technological ecosystem divided into eight thematic areas:
People and Sustainability
People in Leonardo operates on a global level in highly competitive technology-led sectors. For Leonardo, sustainability is the ability to have a long-term vision, considering the impact of activities on the entire value chain. This is essential for the long-lasting progress of people and the planet, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN Agenda 2030.
New mobility
Leonardo implements new advanced, innovative and sustainable air mobility solutions, integrated new disruptive technologies across platforms, control systems, infrastructures and new business models. The Company aims to be a key player of the new “flying society”. On display is a simulator of the AW609 tiltrotor, a smart helicopter concept, a model of the Skydweller drone and the Galileo satellite navigation system.
Integrated Virtual Environments
A crucial theme for Leonardo, where building on capabilities to offer Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality solutions to prepare for flight briefing and training to carry out missions on land, air, sea, space, and to protect against cyber-attacks, to make a large use of sensors and data. In this area Leonardo exhibits, among other solutions, the X-2030 platform, a pilot training smart chair simulator, the Cyber Trainer & Range, Cyber & Security, and Information Superiority platforms.
Strategic Aerospace Technology
The digital transformation is facilitating faster development of new products and operational concepts. Industry 4.0 technologies and digitalisation of onboard systems are enabling new methods of design that combine new platforms with AI, big data, management systems, and advanced man-machine interfaces supporting interoperability and protection against asymmetric threats. Highlights include a demo area with touchscreen to show the new generation sensors for aircraft and helicopter, and a digital animation of the EuroDrone.
Future Combat Air System
Leonardo is engaged in enhancing capabilities, knowledge, skills and expertise to develop a Future Generation Combat Air System. This Systems of systems will be key for the future joint all domain operational environment and will embed new strategic technologies. The exhibit dedicated to FCAS is the transition element between the two areas. Leonardo is involved in Italy as Lead System Integrator, leading a theme of national companies including Elettronica, MBDA Italy and Avio Aero, while in the UK is part of Team Tempest from its building.
Joint all domain operations
Leonardo is an ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) company where ISTAR covers the full range of sensors, helicopters and aircraft, covering every domain across air, sea, space, land and cyber. This area will include data dissemination, Cyber resilience multi-platform integration strategic sensing capabilities, also highlighting international research programs that will underpin Leonardo’s future offer. The models on display include the Kronos Grand Mobile and Power Shield radars, C-27J and ATR-72 AMI aircraft as well as the M-346 FA jet.
Innovation
Leonardo Open Innovation represents an ecosystem that promotes the growth of people’s talent and creativity through the exchange of ideas and innovative collaboration across disciplines. Leonardo is at the Centre of a network of collaboration with companies, SMEs and research centres contributing to the technological advancement of national and international ecosystems. On the touchscreens of the exhibition area various initiatives, including the Business Innovation Factory, the Clean Sky and Sesar projects, the LEAP programme, Leonardo Labs and the Future Factory.
Space
The Group covers the entire space sector value chain, comprehensively supporting planetary and scientific exploration missions; it offers advanced end-to-end connectivity and satellite navigation; earth observation and geo-information solutions for military, institutional and commercial customers. On display: a model of the robotic arm that will accompany the NASA Mars Sample Return mission, and Moonlight, the satellite system for communication and navigation services for the next missions to the Moon.
