Leonardo completes satellite-controlled European MALE-class UAS flight
Leonardo has completed the first flight campaign to demonstrate satellite control of a European-built Medium Altitude Long Endurance class (MALE) UAS, the company announced on 23 May.
The campaign was carried out at Birgi airport in Trapani, Italy in order to evaluate the efficiency of the satellite technology for various dual-use applications under realistic conditions. A team of Telespazio (Leonardo 67%, Thales 33%) and Piaggio Aerospace carried out the activity by using a remotely-piloted P.1HH HammerHeadaircraft as the test bed, developing and integrating capabilities that will enable UAS to safely fly in unsegregated air space beyond radio line of sight.
The flights were carried out in line with the objectives of the DeSIRE II European research project, led by Telespazio and jointly initiated by the European Space Agency and European Defence Agency. DeSIRE II will support the European standardisation and regulatory activities in the UAS sector.
Telespazio has developed a two-way satellite communication network which was used during the flight campaign. Control data from the ground station was transmitted to remotely operate the P.1HH and its onboard sensors and systems, while data collected by the UAS during flight was returned to the ground station via the same network. The system used Athena-Fidus satellite resources, managed by Telespazio’s Fucino Space Centre.
The activities also represented a step towards a futurewhere remotely-piloted aircraft will be used to support public services such as environmental monitoring, surveillance and emergency management.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet]()
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
