Italian Medium Altitude, Long Range Drone Eyes European Market

Leonardo has completed the first phase of flight testing for its upcoming Falco Xplorer drone.

The aircraft now moves on to the second phase of the campaign as part of the company's "Be Tomorrow 2030" plan. The Xplorer will be the largest UAV ever made by Leonardo, hopefully becoming a strong product in an EU looking to gain increasing sovereignty over its ISR products. The company says it has everything it needs for a successful, combat-ready UAV platform, from sensors and aeronautics to software and control. 

The Falco Xplorer will be the first MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance)-class uncrewed system to be built exclusively with domestic European technology, one Leonardo expects will be just as popular as its Falco Evo. The smaller aircraft operates with a number of international customers, with thousands of hours of flight time under its belt, both civilian and military. 

The next phase for the Falco Xplorer will take place with the Italian Directorate for Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness. They will help certify its compatibility with STANAG 4671 with a series of increasingly complex flights. Automated takeoff and landing, satellite-based command, and ISR flights will be tackled first in assessing the Xplorer's readiness for duty. Its sensor suite currently includes a number of in-house Leonardo pieces, including the LEOSS electro-optical turret, Gabbiano TS-80 UL multimode radar, an Automatic Identification System for maritime traffic analysis, and the SAGE electronic intelligence system. The Falco Xplorer integrates Leonardo’s flexible ATOS mission system, allowing additional companies to work off its open architecture, allowing for a plethora of new equipment.

Once certified, Leonardo notes the Falco Xplorer will be able to fly over populated areas, significantly expanding its scope and allowing it to operate in support of public safety and civil protection missions.

FMI: www.leonardo.com