Future Rotorcraft UAS Opportunities In The Works

Leonardo and Northrop Grumman inform the community of their intention to partner for opportunities in the Vertical Take-Off and Landing Uncrewed Aerial Systems markets.

According to the companies, collaboration is being considered for air vehicle design, system architectures, payload optimisation and integration within next generation battlespace architectures, with a focus on customer requirements and mission-based Concepts of Operations.  

This will mark the latest development in the long-term partnership between Northrop Grumman and Leonardo, which dates back to 1995.

Leaders from the two organisations weigh in on the new opportunities ahead. “We see this partnership as a great opportunity to leverage the synergies between Leonardo and Northrop Grumman in the sphere of VTOL and UAS technologies,” says Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters.

“This collaboration comes at a time when we see emerging military and civil requirements worldwide in the uncrewed domain. This partnership will enable a strong and concerted approach to existing, as well as next-generation VTOL UAS technologies from two leading global aerospace engineering companies.” 

“Northrop Grumman has decades of experience and unmatched expertise in developing and delivering uncrewed and autonomous aerial systems including the RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-8C Fire Scout, Firebird, a UAS that has the capability to be flown manned, and the pioneering X-47B aircraft,” adds Nick Chaffey, Chief Executive, UK, Europe, Middle East, Northrop Grumman. “There are many possibilities that our collaboration with Leonardo will deliver for customers worldwide as they look to solve new challenges in a complex, unpredictable threat environment.” 

FMI: https://www.leonardocompany.com, https://www.northropgrumman.com