Tension mounts as Canada heads toward two-horse future fighter race
A new twist has emerged from Canada's efforts to select a new fighter aircraft, with one competitor seemingly ousted from the procurement process.
Leonardo AWHero achieves first military certification
Leonard AWHero has obtained an important military certification. (photo: Leonardo)
Leonardo claims to have obtained the world’s first military certification for a rotary-wing tactical UAS in the 200kg weight class.
The AWHero UAV has received basic military certification from the Italian MoD's Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness, Leonardo announced on 22 October.
The company claimed this marks the first-ever approval for a 200kg rotary-wing UAS.
AWHero has been in development since 2012, with the first prototype unveiled in 2018 and a more aerodynamic variant unveiled in 2019.
The UAV was developed to provide a low-cost and low maintenance solutions for security, utility, tactical battlefield surveillance and maritime missions.
AWHero is powered by a heavy fuel engine which allows a top speed of 90kt and mission endurance of 6h with a 35kg payload. Its multiple payload capacity allows the UAV to carry EO/IR sensor gimbal in the nose or in the fuselage.
Leonardo noted in a statement that the newly acquired certification is based on elements of the NATO STANAG 4702 standardisation agreement, which sets specific interoperability requirements for rotary-wing UAS.
The military certification represents an important milestone for the development of AWHero, which is currently being considered in a few international tenders.
Shephard reported in March 2021 that Northrop Grumman Australia teamed up with Leonardo to offer AWHero in the Project Sea 129 Phase 5 Block 1 tender, which aims to deliver a next-generation UAS for the Royal Australian Navy.
The two companies have been down selected to move to the next phase.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Tension mounts as Canada heads toward two-horse future fighter race]()
-
![RAF leads the way to a green future]()
RAF leads the way to a green future
Sir Mike Wigston spoke at King’s College London on the RAF’s plan to be NetZero by 2040 and the milestones along the way.
-
![Saab’s Gripen E enters serial delivery phase]()
Saab’s Gripen E enters serial delivery phase
Saab has made significant progress on its leading fighter programme.
-
![Dutch-Brazilian MoU may explore automated maintenance for KC-390]()
Dutch-Brazilian MoU may explore automated maintenance for KC-390
Input from NLR in the Netherlands would assist military aircraft research from Embraer.
-
![Serbia looks west and east to strengthen air force]()
Serbia looks west and east to strengthen air force
A plan by Serbia to procure C295M airlifters takes shape amid moves to procure more helicopters from Russia.
-
![Lockheed Martin obtains ASQ-239 integration contract for F-35]()
Lockheed Martin obtains ASQ-239 integration contract for F-35
Lockheed Martin will provide system integration services for ASQ-239 EW countermeasure hardware.
