Opportunities, successes and prospects. UAV Leonardo AWHero
Over the past few years, the Italian holding Leonardo has been promoting its new development - an unmanned aerial vehicle of the helicopter type AWHero. After carrying out all the necessary tests and demonstration to a potential customer, a promising sample was successfully passed through the certification process. Obtaining the necessary documents opens drone way to the troops and other structures.
Project successes
The development of the future AWHero UAV began in 2012 as a joint project of Finmeccanica and Sistemi Dinamici. After further transformations, the Leonardo holding, represented by the Leonardo Helicopters division, became the project developer. The latter successfully completed all the design work, and in December 2018, an experienced UAV took off for the first time.
Just a few months after that, the Leonardo holding began promoting the new development on the market. In particular, the AWHero project was included in the European program OCEAN2020, the purpose of which is to create new means of lighting the situation and ensuring safety at sea. Since 2019, experienced UAVs of a new type regularly perform demonstration and test flights within the framework of this program, incl. with solving real problems.
On October 22, the Leonardo press service announced the completion of an important stage of work. The AWHero UAV has passed the necessary checks and received a certificate from the Directorate of Aviation Armament and Airworthiness of the Italian Ministry of Defense (Direzione degli Armamenti Aeronautici e per l'Aeronavigabilità - DAAA). This document recognizes the readiness of the drone for full-fledged operation in the armed forces and for solving the entire range of proposed tasks.
The development company notes that its AWHero became the first UAV of its class in the world to receive such a certificate. Other unmanned helicopters with a takeoff weight of up to 200 kg have not yet advanced further than trial operation and cannot boast of such success.
Technique and its capabilities
The AWHero product is a small unmanned helicopter with a fairly large payload and broad operational capabilities. Also, the unmanned complex includes a ground control station that provides control over the aircraft and receives data from it and the payload.
The UAV is built in the fuselage of a traditional helicopter shape with streamlined contours. There is a thin tail boom with a keel and stabilizer. Used ski chassis. The length of the product along the fuselage is 3,7 m, the height and width are 1,2 m. The diameter of the three-bladed main rotor is 4 m; the blades can be folded. The maximum take-off weight is determined at 200 kg, of which up to 85 kg falls on fuel and payload.
The helicopter is equipped with a rotary piston engine of unnamed power, using JP-5, JP-8, Jet A. With its help, the UAV develops a cruising speed of 167 km / h and rises to an altitude of over 4,2 km. The flight duration depends on the payload. So, with 35 kg of cargo, it reaches 6 hours.
UAV AWHero is equipped with an advanced autopilot with the ability to fly independently or work on commands. There are modes of automatic take-off and landing, incl. on deck, flight on a given route, etc. The ability to integrate target loads for various purposes is provided. The drone's own instruments provide payload control and communication with the operator.
The remotely piloted helicopter accommodates two modular payload bays, one mounted in the bow to accommodate light sensors, and the other pivotally attached to the bottom or side of the fuselage for heavier loads. It is possible to use modern small-sized radars, optical and electronic reconnaissance systems, repeaters, etc.
The drone can be operated in different conditions. Flights from airfields and small areas are allowed, as well as use on ships. The entire unmanned complex, including the helicopter, control station and auxiliary equipment, fits into a standard 20-foot container.
Goals and opportunities
At the moment, the developer company offers several options for using AWHero. The UAV can be used by the military or civilian structures. At the same time, operation in the army and navy will be of great variety.
First of all, the helicopter is designed for long-term flight along the route or patrolling in a given area with observation of the situation. Depending on the type of ECO, it can operate day and night, over land or over sea. The basing methods are determined in accordance with the task at hand. Such capabilities can be used for reconnaissance and target designation, to suppress illegal activities or in humanitarian operations.
The UAV's long-term hovering ability at one point can be used to relay signals in military and civilian operations. This feature is useful for improving communication and management of military and civilian structures. In addition, AWHero with a repeater can be used in anti-submarine defense. It will provide communication of the installed buoys with other aircraft and increase the range of the entire system.
The developers note that the AWHero UAV in some cases is able to fully replace full-size manned helicopters, and in some situations even surpasses them. Thus, the drone is easier to operate and has a lower cost per flight hour. In addition, it is capable of performing long flight missions with minimal operator workload.
Documents and orders
In theory, the Leonardo AWHero unmanned complex is of great interest to a wide range of military and civilian customers from different countries. Recent events and obtaining the DAAA certificate will contribute to the realization of such interest and the emergence of contracts for the supply of new equipment.
Having received the certificate, the AWHero drone will be able to enter the supply of the Italian armed forces. The first customer of such equipment, most likely, will be the naval forces, which already have experience with it. Then, contracts may appear for the supply of the ground forces or the air force. Military orders will become a kind of advertisement confirming the high potential of the UAV, and will attract the attention of civilian structures.
Leonardo is already promoting its development on the international market. Back in 2018, a few months before the first flight of an experienced drone, the AWHero complex was first presented by the Australian Navy. As a result of the presentation, negotiations and other procedures began, but the actual contract has not yet been signed.
The EURO2020 program opens up broad prospects for the drone. Within its framework, the experienced AWHero clearly demonstrated their flight and performance characteristics - and, probably, attracted the attention of various European countries. In the near future, they may launch a negotiation process on future contracts.
First successes
Leonardo was able to complete the development of one of its major recent projects in the field of unmanned aviation... In addition, the new UAV has passed all the necessary checks and can now be operated in the structures of the Italian Ministry of Defense. Apparently, the Italian military will not waste time, and soon the first order for the supply of such equipment will appear.
Then, new contracts are expected to be signed with new buyers from Italy and other countries. What the real success of the AWHero project will be and how many serial UAVs will be sent to customers will become known in the future. But the development company already has reason to be proud: its unmanned helicopter has become the first vehicle of its class allowed for full-fledged operation in the army.
Information