Leonardo News

The company took part in the annual EU Industry Days (8-11 February) – Europe’s most significant annual industrial event – contributing to debates on digitisation and ecological transition, with a focus on training and the promotion of sustainable management culture. The path towards a green and digital transition is at the heart of Leonardo's growth strategy; part of a consolidated and innovative drive to the Twin Transition that is seeing the entire European aerospace and de...

The United States Air Force (USAF) Seek Eagle Office has cleared Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 expendable active decoy for operational testing on board the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The authorisation is one of the final stages of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme for the product, which is due to complete this year. The FCT, which is being conducted by the US Air National Guard, will open the door to U.S....

Leonardo held a delegation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at its offices in Rome (Italy). It was led by the UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The delegation also included members of the UAE Space Agency and national industries in the sector. After the strategic presentation of the group, Leonardo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alessandro Profumo, said “Leonardo’s technologies have been contributing to the prosperity and security of the United Arab Emira...

Leonardo’s latest Cyber Threats Snapshot highlights the main malevolent actors (threat actors), cybercrime activities and vulnerabilities found between October and December 2021. The analysis was conducted by Leonardo’s Cyber Threat Intelligence experts, in support of the Global Security Operation Centre (SOC). Among the most significant trends recorded in the last three months of 2021: Telecommunications companies high on the target list of threat actors. COVID-19 is used as t...

“We are pleased to be the official patron of Leonardo’s Cyber Game Award ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai. Training and international collaboration are both key to the cyber resilience of countries and strategic infrastructure,” said H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, the UAE Government’s Head of Cyber Security. “Our partnerships with global security companies like Leonardo, as well as with universities and the research sector all reinforce our commitment in keeping the...

The Flight Control Computer (FCC) is a technological solution for the management of one of an aircraft’s most critical functions, its flight control system. This seminar will take an in-depth look at the potential and functioning of these systems in a variety of operational contexts and at Leonardo’s new multiplatform flight control architecture, which may be integrated with all kinds of civil and military aircraft and helicopters. Drone applications and compliance It can even be...

Cyber security, surveillance, monitoring, communication and decision support for critical infrastructure and urban air mobility, and with particular reference to the development requirements of ground infrastructures and air traffic control. These are joint initiative areas based on the partnership signed between Leonardo and ADR to facilitate the transition of airport assets into smart hubs. This is an agreement with a strategic value. Through an already tested model by which Leonardo’s...

In the last decade, the Mediterranean Sea has assumed a centrality in what could be defined as a ‘Problematic chessboard’, which is a particularly complex and constantly changing geopolitical context. The control of the Euro-Mediterranean border has always represented one of the ‘unsolved’ problems for the entire European Community, given that the Mediterranean is the meeting point of the Eurasian continent with Africa. To make matters worse, the political instability of...

Leonardo’s solutions for decarbonisation have been presented at the international showcase Expo 2020 Dubai, during the meeting “Italian business and decarbonisation: a just and inclusive transition” promoted by the Global Compact Network Italy, as part of the Global Goals Week at Expo. The company described the founding pillars of its approach to decarbonisation, which are technological development and partnerships in innovation that are key tools for generating long...

The Iveco - Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) announces the signing of a contract to supply 14 Mortar Carrier VBMs, 26 Command Post VBMs (13 in Tactical Unit and 13 in Command Unit version), along with six ‘10x10’ rescue and recovery vehicles. Signed on December 30, 2021, at the Secretary of Defence (Segredifesa) Land Armaments Directorate, the contract comes as part of the ongoing supply (‘Phase 2’) of Medium Armoured Vehicles to the Italian Army’s Second Medium Brigade...

Leonardo is working on the relaunch of the Aerostructures division with a new investment plan of 300 million euros and is concentrating on expanding the production base of the Grottaglie (Taranto) site, currently the most impacted by the consequences of the pandemic on civil aviation. Solar-powered drone The news is that Grottaglie will take care of the solar-powered drone. It will be the first programme that could kick-start the diversification of the production of the plant which, from the s...

Leonardo’s growing influence in the Italian transport sector, along with its commitment to sustainable transport, is being demonstrated as part of a significant bus network modernisation programme across Tuscany. The company is working with Autolinee Toscane, the Italian branch of the French RATP Dev, which is one of the main transport operators in the world, transporting 1.5 billion travellers, across 470 cities in 13 different countries each year. Real-time operations On 1 November 20...

A contract for 10 drones is the first for the Mirach 100/5 V2 target drone, which features new engines, advanced new avionics and enhanced reliability. The Mirach 100/5 V2 will accurately simulate hostile aircraft and incoming missiles, during training exercises, in order to allow the Armed Forces to train with radars and weapon systems in realistic scenarios. Leonardo’s Mirach family also includes the M-40, which provides medium-to-high performance at a price comparable with competitors&...

The Qatar Emiri Air Force's first TTH and NFH helicopters had a joint public premiere during Qatar National Day. The first TTH overland variant was delivered on 11 December 2021, by contractual commitments, and will be followed by the first NFH naval helicopter soon after its qualification in the next coming months. Deliveries will continue through 2025. As well as acting as prime contractor for the overall programme, Leonardo is responsible for the final assembly and delivery of the 12 NH...

The Mirach 100/5 aerial target celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first official flight in December 2021. Created in the mid-90s, the Mirach 100/5 faithfully emulates the size, performance and radar signalling of the principal emerging threats. Developed on the basis of the experience accumulated with the previous aerial targets in the 100 series of what was then known as the Meteor – the 100/2 and the 100/3 Mizar for reconnaissance, both of which date back to 1984 and the 100/4 whic...

Their journey into the world of sustainability continues in December through the images of the Telespazio and e-GEOS 2021 Love Planet Earth calendar, featuring shots from National Geographic. This month, they focus on the role of satellites in monitoring and fighting the effects of extreme weather in cities. Urbanisation and climate change are increasingly interconnected, with metropolises and cities often affected by heatwaves and storms – extreme weather phenomena that the typical urban...

The user may know that fixed licence plate reader technology (LPR) is one of the most powerful security tools available for protecting buildings and perimeters of geographical areas. Best practices for ELSAG® Fixed Plate Hunter LPR systems include: College, university, and school campuses Airports Casinos Manufacturing facilities Houses of worship Transportation depots Utility infrastructure Municipal buildings Military campuses Ports and border stations Fixed plate readers ar...

Leonardo and Northrop Grumman Corporation (Northrop Grumman) have announced their intention to jointly pursue opportunities in the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) domain. Drawing on Leonardo’s expertise in rotorcraft and Northrop Grumman’s capabilities in advanced aeronautics, and next-generation autonomous uncrewed aerial systems, the companies will focus on jointly addressing global opportunities in the VTOL UAS market. Leonardo - Northrop Grumm...

In the frame of the German ‘Quadriga’ fighter replacement programme sensor solution specialist HENSOLDT will deliver core components of the Eurofighter/Typhoon’s self-protection system ‘PRAETORIAN’. As part of the EuroDASS consortium comprising Leonardo UK, Elettronica and Indra, HENSOLDT has received a contract valued at circa 90 Million Euros for the delivery of essential parts of the aircraft’s defensive aids sub system (DASS). Deliveries are planned from...

LEONARDO S.p.A. has announced that it has signed a purchase agreement for 25.1 percent of the shares in HENSOLDT AG with HENSOLDT's majority shareholder, Square Lux Holding II S.à r.l., a portfolio company of investment funds advised by KKR. HENSOLDT, thus, will gain one additional major shareholder and future potential strategic partner. The sale is subject to usual regulatory closing conditions. LEONARDO investment in HENSOLDT Square Lux Holding II S.à r.l. will still hold aro...

Leonardo’s Edinburgh, Scotland-based Innovation and Technology Incubator Centre has announced that it will partner with O2 (Telefónica UK) to investigate several innovative applications of private 5G technology in the defence and security industry. High speed and secure information  Proposed uses of secure, high-bandwidth mobile data include facilitating next-generation ‘future factory’ manufacturing capabilities and providing high speed and secure information ser...

Leonardo delivered the first two M-345 jet trainer aircraft to the Italian Air Force, which to-date has ordered 18 units from a total requirement for up to 45 aircraft. The new type of jet trainer aircraft, designated T-345A by the Italian Air Force, will gradually replace the 137 MB-339s which have been in service since 1982. M-345 jet trainer aircraft Marco Zoff, Leonardo Aircraft Managing Director, said “Building on our heritage and expertise in jet trainers, the M-345 will allow our...

The Qatar Emiri Air Force’s NH90 helicopter programme marked a major milestone last week with first flights performed in Italy and France. The first NH90 NATO frigate helicopter (NFH), assembled at Leonardo’s Venice Tessera facility, and the first tactical troop transport (TTH) over-land aircraft, assembled at Airbus Helicopters’ Marignane site, took to the air on 15th and 18th of December respectively. The flights allowed crews to evaluate general handling and basic systems a...

Leonardo has recently proven the newly-expanded capabilities of its ULISSES acoustic anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system in a demonstration off the coast of Italy. During the demo, Leonardo showed how the Firefly, AQS-18, dipping sonar from L3Harris Technologies worked in concert with the ULISSES processor to automatically locate simulated enemy submarines and alert the crew to their presence. Firefly sonar integration with ULISSES system The demonstration follows the successful integration o...

Leonardo announces that WIKING Helikopter Service GmbH has taken delivery of a new AW139 7-tonne intermediate twin engine helicopter from Leonardo’s Vergiate facility, further expanding an existing fleet of three aircraft. The helicopter will be used to carry out offshore transport missions supporting energy industry operations in Northern Europe. WIKING has been an offshore transport specialist in the North and Baltic Sea areas for over 45 years. It has three bases in Germany and two in...

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new International Flight Training School was carried out at the Italian Air Force’s base in Decimomannu, located in Sardinia, Italy. Italian Defence Undersecretary Hon. Giulio Calvisi, the Sardinian Region’s Governor Hon. Christian Solinas, Italian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli, Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Alberto Rosso, Leonardo Chairman Luciano Carta, Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo and Marco Zoff, Leonardo Aircraft MD, wer...

Contracts for two additional COSMO-SKyMed Second Generation (CSG) satellites have been signed with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence. Satellites 3 and 4 will complete the second generation of the Italian earth observation program, ensuring continuity and high performance of the planet's monitoring services. Continuous technological research Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo CEO commented: “COSMO-SkyMed is one of Italy’s great success stories, a driver o...

Enel and Leonardo have signed a letter of intent for a strategic collaboration focused on security, energy efficiency, satellite communications, and electric mobility. In addition to a series of activities that the two companies will provide in their respective reference businesses, the partnership will see the development and implementation of new features and technologies for specific offers dedicated to their customers. The collaboration will lead to the development of innovative solutions,...

Leonardo and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a loan agreement of 200 million euros. Developing innovative products The financing has the purpose of supporting the investment projects planned in the Group’s Industrial Plan against the background of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This further loan by the EIB brings the investment support of the loan signed on 29 November 2018 from 300 to 500 million euros. Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo Chief Executive Officer, commente...

The third group of companies have now joined the ‘ELITE Leonardo Lounge’. The environment is reserved for high-potential companies from Leonardo’s supply chain developed by ELITE and enriched by content and services for Leonardo’s suppliers. With the addition of the 23 new entries, the number of Leonardo’s key suppliers to the ELITE programme rises to 67. The companies included in the ELITE Leonardo Lounge come from 13 different regions, with a combined revenue of...