Leonardo: the flight campaign of the Falco EVO drone with new engine and satellite connection was successfully completed

The Falco EVO, Leonardo's Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS), has successfully completed new flight tests in Bulgaria. The objective of the campaign is the field verification of a series of updates to extend the flight time and operational range of the platform in the context of land and sea missions.

The new capabilities include a Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) satellite data link and a propulsion system based on a heavy fuel engine. In addition to expanding the flight envelope of the Falco EVO, the new engine has proven to generate more electricity on board the platform, allowing a greater load of energy-intensive ISR sensors for complex missions.

Further tests are now scheduled to see the Falcon EVO fly with the new Gabbiano TS Ultra-Light (UL) surveillance radar from Leonardo, presented at the Paris Le Bourget in the 2017, combined with a high-infrared electro-optical sensor definition, an identification system and a communication suite.

The Falco EVO, the model with greater flight autonomy of the family of Falco di Leonardo aircraft, is a platform for surveillance and collection of information for land and sea missions. It can fly for more than 20 consecutive hours by loading loads up to 100 kg. The Falco EVO has already been delivered to a launch customer in the Middle East, while the Falco in its original version has been chosen by five customers. Currently, the Falco EVO is engaged in a selection for a prestigious international operator and will be deployed shortly in the Mediterranean for a European surveillance program.

Over 50 drones of the Falco family are currently involved in operations worldwide. Some customers choose to acquire and operate the aircraft independently while others, such as the United Nations in the case of the MONUSCO humanitarian mission, have opted for the provision of a surveillance service based on the Falcon, operated by Leonardo. The latter model represents an area of ​​growth for Leonardo, which aims to expand this type of offer also on the civilian market with police forces and emergency services operators.

Leonardo: the flight campaign of the Falco EVO drone with new engine and satellite connection was successfully completed

| Economics |