Leonardo AWHERO

The story of Leonardo AWHERO

Italy's Leonardo-Finmeccanica pays tribute to the growing market for rotary unmanned aerial systems (RUAS) with its new AWHERO. Known as a multi-mission solution for the military, industrial and civilian markets, the type is capable of daytime and low-light operations on land and water.

This gives the product unparalleled versatility in the type of work, as well as the economy and reliability of the Leonardo.

Like other Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), AWHERO is controlled by ground operators via a NATO certified Ground Control Station (GCS). Airborne systems provide real-time feedback and data to ground operators for real-time decision-making. Payloads are modular and built around carrying various sensors and processing systems, typically focusing on intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) and data collection capabilities.

Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) imaging is supported, and optical accessories have been positioned in the body's "chin" mount, reserving heavier loads for side mounting.

Externally, the design follows accepted rotor design standards, including top-mounted main rotor blades, offset tail rotor assembly (facing port), and a fixed four-point landing skid assembly. This enables the relatively compact helicopter to operate from tight spaces such as urban environments and mountains to open fields and warship decks.

Dimensions include 12.1 ft overall length, 3.10 ft overall height and 13.1 ft rotor diameter. The aircraft has an empty weight of 120kg and an MTOW rating of 200kg. It can fly for six hours and then refuel at an altitude of 14,000 feet at speeds of up to 90 knots.

In addition to its obvious military value, AWHERO can also play a role in humanitarian task groups and search and rescue (SAR) operations on land or at sea. It can also act as a communications relay for other aircraft, including other UASs.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service

2024

Origins

Italy

Status

Under development

Program is running.

Crew

0

Production

1

Manufacturer

Leonardo-Finmeccanica - Italy

Operator

Italy (possibly)

Roles

Close Air Support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Unmanned ability

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable Features

Vertical Takeoff/Landing (VTOL)

The

series has the tactical capability of vertical take-off and/or landing, a characteristic usually associated with helicopters.

Radar capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Unmanned operation

The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Autonomous operation

The design features autonomous flight operations through artificial intelligence or onboard pre-programming.

Camera equipment

Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

12. 1 feet

(3.70m)

Width/span

13. 1 ft

(4.00m)

Height

3.9 feet

(1.20m)

Cured weight

265 lbs

(120kg)

MTOW

441 lbs

(200kg)

Wgt Difference

+176 lbs

(+80 kg)

Performance

Installed:

1 x conventional engine, driving a four-blade main rotor and a two-blade tail rotor (port facing).

Maximum speed

103 km/h

(165 km/h | 89 kn)

Cruising speed

87 km/h

(140 km/h | 76 knots)

Maximum speed difference

+26 km/h

(+25 km/h | 13 kn)

Maximum

14,009 feet

(4,270 m | 3 km)

Area

621 km

(1,000 km | 1,852 nautical miles)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None. Mission payloads are limited to optics (chin airbags) and cargo loads (hull sides).