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2021-09-01

Xplorer Bolsters Leonardo’s Falco family

Leonardo’s Falco family has been bolstered by the addition of Falco Xplorer Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), which has turned out to be the defence and security multinational’s solution for persistent multi-sensor strategic surveillance.

Falco Xplorer provides customers with actionable Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and has been designed from the aircraft to its sensor suite, mission system and ground control station.

A broad multispectral sensor suite can be installed thanks to its payload capability. The suite is natively composed by a multifunction Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), an electro-optical multisensor gyrostabilised turret and a Signal Intelligence Suite.

Powered by a conventional aviation engine and with endurance over 24 hours, it gathers information far over the horizon, relayed in real time via secure satellite connection to C4I centres.

The typical system configuration includes a Ground Control Station (GCS) connected to a Ground Data Terminal (GDT), a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and two aircraft.

Relocation of the system is not an issue as the logistic footprint is kept to minimum: the whole system can actually be relocated via ISO668 air transportable containers in a matter of hours.

A legacy from the proven Falco EVO and other RPAS programmes, the Falco Xplorer system is aimed at dual-use requirements providing 24/7, all-weather persistent regional surveillance, covering a wide range of missions and complementing typical military roles (theatre persistent multispectral surveillance) with governmental missions such as border patrolling, coastal watch, illegal immigration prevention, law enforcement, critical infrastructures surveillance, EEZ surveillance and environmental monitoring.

Salient Features

The features for Maritime and Overland, long range, ISR missions include operations lasting for over 24h, up to 30,000 ft, low overall life cycle costs, military type certification according to STANAG 4671 and a payload capability at the top of its segment: 350Kg.

Air Segment

The Falco Xplorer presents superior performances together with a flexible configuration able to accommodate several sensors and payloads.

To relieve crew workload, the system incorporates features such as assisted and automatic flight management, including automatic take-off and landing, and automatic area surveillance modes with real time target data processing, dissemination and exploitation.

Ground Control

The Ground Control Station enables mission planning and rehearsal, pre-flight system check, mission management, flight plan re-tasking, mission playback and simulation for crew mission training.

It provides command and control in real time via a secure satellite data link, allowing operational ranges spanning far over the usual line-of-sight.

Previous Falco variants have been chosen by the United Nations and Frontex, the European border and coastguard agency.

It is readily exportable around the world considering that it is not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions and meets the criteria for Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) class II.

The aircraft was first unveiled at Paris Air Show 2019.

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