Leonardo-Finmeccanica took part in the 2016 edition of the Unmanned Warrior organized by the Royal Navy in the UK from the 9 to the 21 October, the largest demonstration of capacity for unmanned systems in a maritime environment ever built. Leonardo has demonstrated the quality of its solutions by presenting the SW-4 'Solo' helicopter with remote piloting (RUAS - Rotary Unmanned Air System), the SAGE self-protection system and Osprey electronic scanning radar integrated through the management system of the skyISTAR mission to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Unmanned Warrior offered Leonardo the opportunity to show the capabilities of their unmanned systems and their sensors in a representative maritime tactical environment to the Royal Navy and other major naval observers present as observers. The company has invested in remotely controlled technologies that it believes can perform or support a wide range of missions with excellent cost-effectiveness, or operate alongside piloted naval helicopters.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy, said: "The growth of Unmanned Warrior is a clear demonstration of the Royal Navy's ambitions to drive and win through technological innovation. Unmanned maritime systems change the way we operate, but they are only the beginning. Our search for new technologies and ideas will allow us to continue to be one of the most capable and appreciated military marines in the world ”.
The SW-4 'Solo' Rotary Unmanned Air System (RUAS) is based on the SW-4 single-engine light helicopter and is designed to operate both with remote control and on-board pilot (Optionally Piloted Helicopter, OPH) ensuring maximum flexibility . The remotely piloted version of the SW-4 can perform multiple roles including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, material transport in both land and naval environments. With pilot on board, the SW-4 'Solo' can be used for personal transport, surveillance or intervention. Certified by EASA, the SW-4 guarantees safe operations both in piloted and remote control mode.
The SAGE is a passive self-protection system used for intelligence missions, surveillance and recognition. The SAGE acquires data from radio frequency transmitters from a significant tactical distance, compares them with information in the archive identifying and locating the type of
sensor. The flexibility of the system allows its integration on a wide range of aircraft and helicopters, piloted and remotely controlled.
Leonardo is an international leader in radar technology. The Osprey is the first electronic scanning system in the world capable of ensuring coverage without moving parts and without the need for a bulky external radome. Furthermore, it is compact and light, features that make it possible to install on the SW-4 'Solo' helicopter. The one-panel version, shown during Unmanned Warrior, provides instant radar coverage of 120 grades and a vast array of digital features including weather detection, targeting air-to-air targets and moving ground target indicators. The Osprey has already been chosen for the Norwegian AW101 search and rescue helicopter (in this case in its version with three
panels, able to ensure coverage of 360 degrees) and from various customers in the United States.
SkyISTAR is a state-of-the-art mission management system and was used to integrate and manage the electro-optical sensor, the Osprey radar and the SAGE system mounted on the SW-4 'Solo'. During Unmanned Warrior, the skyISTAR system demonstrated its advanced algorithms to cover sensor planning capabilities, multiple sensor detection, data integration and presentation and their usability. This ability has reduced the operator's workload and provided a complete, consistent and able to define operational priorities, allowing the Royal Navy to readily use the necessary information during the rest of the exercise.
