With the first flight of the innovative SW-4 remote control helicopter 'Solo' yesterday at the Taranto-Grottaglie Airport, Leonardo-Finmeccanica starts the experimental campaign that aims to verify the conduct characteristics of the aircraft and validate it flight procedures, both in normal and emergency conditions.
Mauro Moretti, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Leonardo said: “The SW-4 'Solo' is one of the proofs of Leonardo's industrial and innovation commitment in a sector - that of remote piloted aircraft - destined to be one of the most competitive global theaters and is part of a portfolio of solutions that make Leonardo the only European company capable of providing a complete unmanned system. Faced with the advancement of technology, those territories that know how to reinvent themselves to the needs of the market emerge. And Grottaglie is an example. "
Yesterday's activity was born as part of a collaboration started in the 2015 between Leonardo, Aeroporti di Puglia (AdP) and the Aerospace Technology District (DTA) for the "Grottaglie Test Bed", which is a candidate from today to become the solution Italian at the request of the national and European industry for the experimentation of 'unmanned' aircraft. The flight campaign, carried out in collaboration with the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and the DTA, will continue during the beginning of the 2017. Among its objectives there is also the validation of procedures and regulations for the use of unmanned aircraft. The 'Solo', a derivative of the SW-4 helicopter produced in the Leonardo plant in Poland and equipped with advanced systems and sensors also produced by the company in Italy and in the UK, is unique in that it is designed to work with or without pilot on board.
The 'Solo', just returned from a brilliant UK demonstration campaign, is an innovative solution for activities such as hydrogeological monitoring and critical infrastructure, fire fighting, search and rescue, patrolling, civil protection activities.
