Finmeccanica’s renaming as Leonardo is the obvious difference to its presence here, compared with two years ago. But according to senior marketeers at the Italian company, a reorganization to accompany the name change has greater significance. They say it will help the different divisions work better together, especially in understanding customer requirements.
Four of the seven divisions are primarily focused on the aerospace business. They are Aerostructures; Aircraft (the former Alenia and Aermacchi); Helicopters (the former AgustaWestland) and Airborne and Space Systems (including the former Selex ES). The other three divisions specialize in land and naval defense systems, and IT/communications.
“We’ve got very flexible, modular products,” noted Giovanni Soccodato, Leonardo executive vice-president strategies and markets at a press briefing last month. Here at the Farnborough International Airshow (Chalet L1), that is illustrated by the display of a dual-role version of the M346 jet trainer, now doubling as a ground attack machine.
The adaptability of the C-27J airlifter is another example. A U.S. Coast Guard example is on display, as well as various ro-ro packages. The type has sold slowly but steadily, with 82 now under contract for 14 customers. There are at least 10 more prospects, according to Massimo Ghioni, marketing chief for the Aircraft division.
The dual uses of the helicopter range is also apparent. There’s an emergency medical version of the AW169 helicopter and a search and rescue version of the A189 on display at the show. The latter is in the colors of the UK’s new HM Coastguard service that is provided under contract by Bristow Helicopters.
The AW139 remains the company’s best-selling helicopter, with more than 800 now delivered, according to Stefano Bortoli, chief marketeer. It is a potential replacement for over 70 U.S. Air Force UH-1Ns used to serve missile sites. Leonardo’s U.S. production line in Philadelphia is also offering the AW119 for a large US Navy training requirement. The company recently sold 25 A119s to China as that country’s first emergency medical helicopter.
At the heavy end of the scale, an Italian air force AW101 for combat search and rescue is on display. Leonardo Helicopters will also be showing progress on unmanned or optionally-piloted machines including the SW-4 Solo from Polish subsidiary PZL-Swidnik, and the very light (150kg/330 pounds) SD-150 Hero. The pair are controlled by a common ground station.
Leonardo has also majored in fixed-wing UAVs, with the Sky-X and Sky-Y demonstrators, and the tactical Falco system that has gained several customers. The company provides this UAV to the United Nations’ mission in the Congo under a service contract. It is a partner in the Neuron UCAV. Autonomous control is a key to future labor savings required by operators, according to Soccodato.
The Airborne and Space Systems Division is showing its diverse product lines such as airborne radars, electro-optics, electronic warfare and lasers. The avionics portfolio includes flight controls, autopilots, displays and comms/navigation systems. Fabrizio Boggiani is the chief marketer for this division, which has 7,000 employees in the UK. He noted two key potential developments for the British Ministry of Defence—a contract to retrofit 30 platforms with a new IFF system, and an extension of an availability-based Eurofighter avionics support contract from Italy to the UK. The division will be highlighting the new MiySys directed infrared countermeasures system, and the new Osprey lightweight surveillance radar. The U.S. Navy recently selected this for the Fire Scout rotary-wing UAS. o
