Falco Xplorer UAS takes off
Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer UAS has undertaken its maiden flight from Trapani Air Force base, the company announced on 17 January.
The aircraft flew for around 60 minutes over the Gulf of Trapani in a dedicated fly zone before returning to base and landing safely.
The UAS has an endurance of over 24h with a max payload of 350kg. With a maximum take-off weight of 1.3 tons and an operating ceiling above 24,000ft, the system is designed to offer persistent, multi-sensor strategic surveillance to military and civil customers either an integrated system or as a fully-managed information-superiority service, flown and operated by Leonardo.
The Falco Xplorer design expands on earlier Falco variants. It features a powerful sensor suite, which includes the Gabbiano T-80 multi-mode surveillance radar, the SAGE electronic intelligence system, an automatic identification system for maritime missions and an EO turret. A native satellite link capability allows for beyond-line-of-sight operations, and its open system architecture means that third-party sensors can be easily integrated.
The test flight campaign will now continue with assessment of the aircraft’s full range of capabilities including its integrated sensor system. These campaigns will also certify the Falco Xplorer against NATO’s airworthiness STANAG 4671, expanding the territory over which it can operate.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Reamda upgrades Grasshopper UGV observation mast
Reamda, an Irish engineering company with a focus on UGVs and defence applications, delivered its Riddler platformed to the Irish Defence Forces last year.
-
Roke unveils new CUAS solution
The Roke Agile CUAS has been designed to provide protection for military and civilian situations, as well as to handle swarms of UAS by using a range of sensors.
-
Russia reaches new monthly record for Lancet use in Ukraine
The aggressor’s armed forces have adapted Lancet to Ukrainian conditions via iterative developments accompanied by a significant expansion in production capacity
-
India’s pursuit of UAVs fuels domestic innovation and industrial growth
In response to escalating border tensions and the need for enhanced surveillance capabilities, the Indian Army is ramping up its drone acquisitions, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern defence strategies.
-
Australia to adopt new predatory OWL species
The Australian Defence Force will introduce the One-Way Loitering (OWL) platform by Innovaero, the country’s first long-range loitering munition, to enhance strike capabilities and understanding of loitering munitions.
-
Dedrone’s latest uncrewed solutions offers “complete CUAS DTI-M kill chain”
DedroneOnTheMove, which integrates advanced sensor-fusion and mitigation technologies, was showcased at Eurosatory 2024 and has been designed for deployment to enhance airspace security in high-risk environments.