Leonardo is taking part in the 26th edition of the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2018 in Kielce, Poland, showcasing its state-of-the-art defense technologies.
Pride of place will be given to the company’s Polish business, PZL-Świdnik, which is currently working on two important helicopter programs: the optionally piloted/unmanned SW-4 Solo helicopter, one of the most technologically-advanced aviation projects in the sector, and the W-3PL Głuszec, which is in service with the Polish Army. Both will be exhibited in the company’s static area.
Leonardo’s stand will showcase a complete portfolio of helicopters, including the AW101. Following its exhibition premiere last year in Kielce, the AW101 is Leonardo’s proposal for the Polish Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter requirement. The AW101 is a maritime and naval helicopter, and meets even the most ambitious requirements of the Polish Armed Forces.
The SW-4 Solo, derived from the SW-4 helicopter produced by PZL-Świdnik in Poland, has been designed to operate with or without a pilot on board (RUAS/OPH – Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial System/Optionally Piloted Helicopter). Testing campaigns have been held in Italy, Poland and the U.K., with the Solo’s maiden flight (with no safety pilot on-board) successfully carried out at the end of last year.
The Solo is equipped with advanced systems and sensors manufactured by Leonardo. It is a prime example of Leonardo’s capabilities in unmanned technology and exemplifies the quality of the work carried out by PZL-Świdnik, which is co-developing the project.
Notably, the Solo is part of both the OCEAN2020 program, the most important project to come out of the first European Defence Fund initiative, and the HELIMARIS project, which aims to modify an optionally piloted helicopter for maritime missions. The latter is being conducted by PZL-Świdnik, in collaboration with Polish R&D centers and universities.
OCEAN2020 will see unmanned platforms of different types (fixed-wing, rotary-wing, surface and underwater) integrated with naval units’ command and control centers, allowing for data exchange via satellite with command and control centers on land. The OCEAN2020 team, led by Leonardo, comprises 42 partners from 15 European countries, including Poland.
The W-3PL Głuszec is the most modern helicopter currently operated by the Polish Armed Forces. The unit on show at MSPO is operated by soldiers based at 56 Air Base in Inowrocław. The Głuszec is the newest version of Sokół helicopter, the backbone of the Polish Armed Forces helicopter fleet, upgraded in close cooperation with the Polish Armed Forces and defence industry to provide combat support capabilities. It is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and equipment allowing it to perform numerous tasks on the modern battlefield. The Sokol Family of helicopters can be equipped with various equipment, sensors and systems, including armaments.
With regard to combat helicopter capabilities, Leonardo has recently signed a Letter of Intent with Polish Armaments Group that will see the two companies collaborating on the AW249, the only new combat helicopter currently being designed, which will be proposed to meet the Polish Army’s requirement for a new combat helicopter. Additional information about the AW249 and about how it can satisfy the Polish Armed Forces’ requirements will be available at Leonardo’s booth.
Among a wide range of defense technologies, products and systems showcased at Leonardo’s booth (hall E / stand 22), visitors will have the opportunity to see Leonardo’s capabilities in the defense electronics domain including its range of world-class radars for surveillance (the Osprey AESA and the Gabbiano Ultra-Light) and fire control (the Grifo-346).
Protective systems will include the company’s world-leading BriteCloud expendable active decoy which defends against radar-guided missiles and the Miysis directed infrared counter-measure (DIRCM) which protects platforms from man-portable heat-seeking threats.
Also on show will be the newly-launched ULISSES Anti-Submarine Warfare system as well as space capabilities in the form of the Telespazio optical satellite.
