Leonardo-Finmeccanica will supply electronic scanning avionics radar (AESA - Active Electronically Scanned Array) Vixen 500E at the United States Navy Pilot Training School. The contract, signed with the US subsidiary of the prime contractor Elbit Systems foresees the use of the Vixen 500E by student pilots during the training sessions on board the C-26 aircraft.
The US Navy Pilot Training School, which is based in Maryland, trains pilots, flight officers and engineers on the theory, processes and techniques of assessing and testing aircraft and on-board systems. The courses include practical exercises on the use of sensors and in this context it will be possible
experience the Vixen 500E's intelligence, surveillance, recognition and interception capabilities. The radar will be ready for installation in mid-2016 while entry into service is expected this fall.
The Vixen 500E is an electronic scanning system that uses a miniaturized array of radar modules to electronically direct its beam, rather than physically aiming it at the target.
This technology, which benefits from Leonardo-Finmeccanica's over 60 years of experience in this sector, makes it possible to combine advanced performance with a high level of reliability and low costs, as well as being easy to install and use.
The contract follows several commercial agreements with the US Department of Homeland Security to supply the Vixen 500 radar technology. The US Coast Guard recently ordered the Seaspray 7500E electronic scanning surveillance radar to equip the HC- 130H. The Seaspray serves as the aircraft's primary sensor for long range maritime surveillance missions.
