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2017-11-19

Leonardo has an enduring bond with UAE

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has had a special and long-standing relationship with the UAE Armed Forces and is a regular participant at the Dubai Airshow. Lorenzo Mariani, Chief Commercial Officer, Leonardo spoke with Nation Shield.

For the first time in the UAE, Leonardo is presenting a full scale mock-up of the cabin of the AW609 tiltrotor. Can you tell us about its special features?
The unique characteristics of the AW609 TiltRotor combine the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft into one aircraft, a true capability Hybrid aircraft. The AW609 TiltRotor features a composite airframe, advanced touch-screen cockpit and full fly-by-wire digital controls. These advanced technologies will provide new levels of performance, safety, reliability and affordability for operators. It can take off and land vertically, flying above adverse weather conditions in a pressurised cabin at twice the speed and range typical of helicopters. It represents the next generation of aircraft transport for commercial, para-public and defence markets.

This multi-role aircraft can be configured for commercial applications such as Executive and Private Transport, Energy Services, Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue as well as Defence and National Security applications like Homeland Security, Naval, Utility, and Personnel Recovery (SAR).

Can you tell us more about M-345 and M-346 aircraft?
The Aermacchi M-345 is the latest military pilot trainer aircraft developed by Leonardo’s Aircraft Division. Aimed at the basic-advanced phases of the training syllabus, it will offer low acquisition and operating costs.

The new M-345 aims to offer the superior performance and training effectiveness typical of a jet aircraft at costs comparable to high-powered turboprop trainers. Thanks to its modern avionics, considerable external load-carrying capability and performance, the M-345 HET is also suited for operational roles.

The Aermacchi M-346 is the most advanced trainer aircraft available on the market today and it is the only model specifically designed to prepare pilots for high performance new generation aircraft.

Its Embedded Tactical Training Simulation (ETTS) allows the M-346 to emulate sensors, countermeasures and armament, as well as allowing pilots to interact in real time with a virtual tactical scenario, further enhancing flexibility and cost reduction.

You are also displaying for the first time here M-346 Fighter Attack (FA). Why do you rate it as a superior fighter aircraft?
The M-346FA, for which several international air forces have already demonstrated their interest, represents a further evolution – after the AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer) for the advanced training of military pilots and the multi-role M-346FT (Fighter Trainer) – of a family concept designed to create a common baseline, able to rapidly answer to the different requirements.

The characteristics of the M-346FA’s make it not only an excellent advanced trainer, but also a light combat aircraft capable of carrying out operational missions at far lower costs than those of front-line fighters.

Can you elaborate on the Falco Evo UAV and the AWHERO Tactical Rotary Unmanned Air Vehicle which you are displaying at the airshow?
The FALCO EVO UAV system is a persistent unmanned surveillance asset able to carry a wide selection of multispectral sensors suites allowing reliable real-time stand-off target detection, classification, identification and shadowing, becoming a valuable information and intelligence node integral with any national C4I network.

The AWHERO is a state-of-the-art Short Range Tactical Rotary Unmanned Air Vehicle (RUAV).

AWHERO design criteria reflect the state-of-the-art of the international regulations and comply with both civil and military requirements; it is developed for land and maritime operations, where reliability and operational safety is paramount. The AWHERO is the perfect low cost/low maintenance solution for civil, military and homeland security applications.

Do you see potential for your aircraft in the Middle East and if so why?
The M-346 entered service in 2013 with both the Italian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force. Poland, has also signed a contract for 8 aircraft in February 2014. Advanced negotiations are going on with a number of countries. Some serious talks are on with countries in this region which we cannot disclose because of the commercial sensitivity of the information.

Can you tell us about the special ties you have with UAE Armed Forces?
Our ties with UAE are very strong and long standing. We are partners with the UAE Navy and we have sold our systems to 21 ships with various shipyards in UAE. We normally provide fully integrated combat systems software, sensors, guns, missiles – whatever the UAE asks for. We believe there is a good complementarity in terms of cost and performance to the missile weaponry.

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