Leonardo has been awarded a contract by the Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft Ltd for the supply of avionics communication systems, cockpit control panels and related electronic components which will be installed on board the PC-21 single-engine turboprop trainers supplied to the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire). The aircraft were ordered by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, through the General Directorate of Armament and Material (DGAM), to replace the C-101 jet trainers in force at the Air Force since 1980.
Leonardo's V / UHF RT-700 / A multiband communication system is compact and light, with military certification ETSO (European Technical Standard Order). The device provides voice and data communications in a range between 30-470MHz and is able to transmit and receive safely if connected to an external cryptographic unit. In particular, the system provides ETSO certified ATC (25 / 8,33kHz) VHF band communications.
The contract further strengthens the consolidated partnership between Leonardo and Pilatus Aircraft. The Swiss company had already chosen Leonardo's avionics, panels and lighting systems for PC-21 trainers ordered from other countries: Switzerland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Australia. The Spanish Air Force is the third European Armed Force to choose the PC-21.
Leonardo has extensive experience in the field of electronics and avionic communications, knowing in depth the needs of both the builders and the end customers thanks to his skills in aircraft design and production and international collaborations with numerous other aircraft manufacturers from over 50 years.
