On the opening day of the Paris Air Show Leonardo presented its newest and largest-ever drone, the FalcoXplorer. Presentation of Leonardo’s remotely-piloted air system opens new civil and military markets for the Italian company.
Leonardo’s newest and largest-ever remotely-piloted air system, the Falco Xplorer, was presented on the first day of the Paris Air Show 2019 / Picture: Michal Jarocki
According to Leonardo, the newly presented Falco Xplorer features a payload capacity of 350kg, more than 24 hours flight time and a satellite communications capability for beyond-radio-line-of-sight operations, all within a 1.3 ton maximum take-off weight. Each element of the system, from unmanned platform to the sensor suite, mission system and ground control station, was developed by the company in-house.
‘Leonardo invests continuously in new capabilities to ensure we position the right products in the right markets’, said Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo during the presentation. ‘The Falco Xplorer is designed to be extremely competitive in its category, building on the experience we’ve gained working with Falco family customers over a number of years and our Company’s strengths in the unmanned domain. By understanding and being able to meet our customers’ needs, we expect to increase our share of the unmanned systems market’, he added.
Currently the Falco Xplorer is undergoing certification for flight in non-segregated airspace, allowing the platform to be offered on military and civilian markets. Aside from militaries, coast guards and emergency responders, are mentioned as potential customers.
The Falco Xplorer should make its maiden flight this June from Trapani Airport in Italy. The manufacturer expects that the platform will be ready for deliveries to first customers as early as 2020. It will be certified according to STANAG 4671, allowing it to be sold among NATO countries.
