2
Photo Info
Leonardo logo

Leonardo products and technology support Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts

Leonardo Press Release | September 1, 2017

Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 2 seconds.

As the communities along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana begin to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, a number of Leonardo products and technologies have been activated in support of disaster relief and recovery, including satellites, airplanes, and helicopters.

Flying for disaster relief efforts in Texas and Louisiana are AW139 operators based along the Gulf Coast, and they will continue to support in the days and weeks ahead. The AW139’s large and versatile cabin can be configured in a variety of layouts, with accommodation for FLIR station operation, medical treatment and casualty evacuation requirements for search-and-rescue and patient/passenger transport. Maximized capabilities in adverse weather and long range endurance allow AW139s to perform missions in the demanding conditions post-hurricane when other aircraft operations may be limited.

Images from the Italian COSMO-SkyMed satellites constellation were used in Texas to monitor the effects of rains and, specifically, to control the flooding along the coast. Leonardo — through the e-GEOS joint venture (Telespazio/ASI – Italian Space Agency) — is providing images, maps and value-added services based on satellite data from the radar constellation COSMO-SkyMed. The radar technology is particularly useful for this type of application, since it allows visibility at night and through clouds. This is not possible for optical satellites as they are unable to pass through the thick hurricane clouds.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has communicated the deployment of the Leonardo-built C-27J in support of aid efforts. The C-27J is guaranteeing the transport of crews, equipment and medical supplies. The U.S. Coast Guard is integrating 14 aircraft into its fleet and several units are already operational in patrol missions against illegal activities and for quick reaction in case of catastrophes and natural disasters. The C-27J was also used for support operations during Hurricane Sandy.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HAI Heli-Expo 2024 Recap

Notice a spelling mistake or typo?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Report an error or typo

Have a story idea you would like to suggest?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Suggest a story