AIAD - Federazione Aziende Italiane per L'Aereospazio, la Difesa e la Sicurezza

Helicopters

Research, design, development, and production of helicopters for civil and defence applications. Leonardo’s helicopters ensure public utility, law enforcement, offshore, search and rescue, air ambulance and defence missions on land and sea. The company is committed to researching innovative technologies and platforms for vertical mobility, such as tiltrotor and remotely piloted helicopters, and to developing a new generation of light helicopters with hybrid/electric propulsion. Through its Training Academy and a global training network, Leonardo designs, develops and delivers training programmes dedicated to flight crews, operators, ground personnel and maintainers of its helicopters. The range of courses extends from real-world training to virtual training, from type conversion to full operational and mission capability.

Main products

AW139: multi-role helicopter capable of performing any type of mission: search and rescue, security, offshore, private, and executive transport.

AW249: cutting-edge helicopter capable of operating in modern and rapidly evolving operational theatres.

AW149: the most modern helicopter in its category for defence applications, equipped with cutting-edge avionics systems.

AW169: latest-generation helicopter characterised by high mission versatility for transport, rescue and government tasks.

AW119: single-engine multi-role helicopter with performance and navigation capabilities comparable to higher-category models.

AW189: modern helicopter capable of combining high load capacity and range with low operating costs for offshore transport, rescue and transport.

AW101: the most advanced and powerful multi-role helicopter available on the market today. Equipped with sophisticated avionics and mission systems, it guarantees maximum operational efficiency also thanks to its high autonomy.

AW609: the first tiltrotor for civil and government applications. It combines the advantages of a helicopter with those of an airplane.

AW09: versatile and light single-engine helicopter for a wide range of missions: from passenger transport to public utility missions, from emergency medical transport (EMS) to public safety.

Defence electronics

Multi-domain solutions for surveillance, security, and protection of critical infrastructures. Radar and sensors, C4ISTAR systems (Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance), integrated combat systems, secure communications systems, IFF systems (Identification Friend or Foe), electro-optical and infrared systems, as well as electronic countermeasures and self-protection equipment capable of ensuring the operational effectiveness of complex systems in any context. Small, medium, and large caliber turrets, modular and digitalised, which guarantee high effectiveness and connectivity in the most complex operational scenarios, for air, anti-surface, and anti-missile defense. Guided, unguided and programmable munitions. Technologies and services for the management of air traffic (ATM – Air Traffic Management) of manned and uncrewed aircraft for the control of flight phases and the management of ground operations. ATC (Air Traffic Control) systems, radars, surveillance sensors, cyber security solutions, communications, and navigation aids for airport hub management. Weather radars.

Main products

ATOS: modular avionics suite for the management of surveillance missions that can be integrated on any type of air platforms, including uncrewed aircraft. The system allows the collection and integration of data from the various on-board sensors for a complete tactical picture.

ATHENA MK2: combat management system capable of integrating and coordinating in real time all the information coming from the various sensors, ensuring full situational awareness for naval surface and underwater units.

SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO: radio for strategic, tactical, platform applications, for secure communications, based on wideband SDR technology, with functions and characteristics that can be modified via software.

KRONOS: Family of multifunction and multi-mission radars, dedicated to land and naval air surveillance and defence.

OTO 76/62 SR (Super Rapid): naval weapon system capable of providing air, anti-surface and anti-missile defence capabilities.

TMMR (Tactical Multi-Mission Radar): C-band AESA radar, developed to intercept, classify, and track small and agile targets. Designed to perform complex missions such as: Counter-UAS and C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery & Mortar).

Aircraft

Design, development, and production of latest-generation aircraft that meet the needs of the most complex operational scenarios: from basic training to complex defence operations; from tactical transport to humanitarian and firefighting support; from command and control to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Leonardo’s aircraft, characterised by high performance, innovative systems and sensors and reduced maintenance requirements, have advanced digital simulation environments capable of constantly enhancing training systems. The collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force has led to the creation of the IFTS (International Flight Training Course), based in Decimomannu (Cagliari – Italy), an advanced flight training centre dedicated to military pilots from air forces around the world. Based on the M-346 Integrated Training System, the training uses an integrated on-board system for the simulation of tactical training, a ground training segment, and an integrated logistics support service.

Main products

C-27J Spartan Next Generation: world benchmark for the new-generation medium-sized turboprop tactical transport aircraft category.

M-346 T/F Block 20: among the most advanced jet aircraft for training military pilots, now in the new Block 20 configuration, equipped with cutting-edge avionics, sensors, and training systems. Also available in a multi-role armed version, the M-346 ensures excellent training and operational performance at reduced costs.

ATR 72 MPA/MM: derived from the world’s best-selling turboprop aircraft, produced by ATR, this multi-mission platform is designed for surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, and anti-submarine warfare.

Aerostructures

As partner of the world’s leading commercial aircraft manufacturers, Leonardo specialises in the production and assembly of structural components in composite materials and traditional metal for commercial and defence aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aircraft. The company participates in the most important programmes in the sector such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A220 and A321 and the best-selling regional turboprop ATR.

Main products

ATR: production of the entire fuselage and the vertical and horizontal tail fins, the latter made of composite material, for all aircraft, including the new STOL (landing on runways shorter than 800 metres) and cargo versions.

B787: design and production of 14% of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The central and centre-rear sections of the fuselage, and the carbon fibre horizontal stabiliser, are made with systems, machinery and production processes for which Leonardo holds the patent.

A321: design and production of the front section of the aircraft fuselage, now also produced for the new aircraft configuration.

Space

Space assets and satellite services that use advanced digital technologies, from artificial intelligence to cloud, from supercomputing to cybersecurity. Leonardo plays a leading role in the sector thanks to its Space Division – with the joint ventures Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space and the participation in Avio – and is able to offer a portfolio of integrated space solutions at a global level: from manufacturing to services to access to space. Earth observation and geo-information, defence and intelligence solutions, space domain awareness, secure satellite communications, low-orbit services and lunar economy are the areas in strongest development on which the company focuses its capabilities.

Main products

COSMO-SkyMed – Second Generation: Italian satellite system for Earth observation, equipped with synthetic aperture radar sensors, which ensures global coverage of the planet in any weather conditions.

SICRAL 3: Italian satellite system for military communications, which guarantees interoperability between the Defence, public safety and civil protection networks.

PRISMA – Second Generation: Italian mission for Earth observation equipped with a hyperspectral sensor to collect data and information on the state of health of the planet, for the benefit of institutions, the scientific community, and citizens.

GALILEO: strategic Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) of the European Union.

COPERNICUS: European satellite programme to monitor the Earth, the marine and atmospheric environment and climate change.

METEOSAT – Third Generation (MTG): programme equipped with Leonardo’s lighting imager capable of capturing and analysing images of lightning in the atmosphere both day and night.

IRIDE: a constellation of Earth observation satellites currently being developed as part of an initiative of the Italian Government, funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Managed by the European Space Agency (ESA), with the support of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), IRIDE is expected to be completed by 2026.

ARTEMIS: a programme led by NASA in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and other international space agencies, to land the next astronauts and establish a human community on the Moon. Leonardo contributes technologies and services to the programme.

Cyber & Security

Creation of proprietary solutions anchored to transformative technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Cyber, Data Platform) with a focus on the strategic sectors of Defence, Space and Strategic Organisations, thanks to a product-based approach and experience gained at international level in Cyber & Resilience, Secure Digital & Cloud and Mission Critical Communications. Leonardo has a Global Cybersec Centre that operates as a trusted provider of an ecosystem of services based on artificial intelligence, as well as specialised cybersecurity skills in the aerospace, defence and strategic organisations sectors in multi-domain contexts. The operation of the Global Cybersec Center is based on a coordinated and federated model, from a logical and geographical point of view, with a headquarters in Chieti (Italy) that coordinates 3 regional centers in Brussels, Bristol, and Riyadh.

Main products

SICOTE: system for territorial control provided to the Italian Carabinieri, with threat prevention and analysis functions.

JOC-COVI: an ecosystem designed to improve the operational capabilities of the Joint Operation Centre, consisting of platforms based on innovative and adaptive technologies, a multi-domain and multi-classification workstation.

Cyber ​​& Resilience: services, platforms, and solutions to manage the threat lifecycle and ensure the cyber resilience of strategic IT/OT infrastructures.

Secure digital platforms: data valorisation and cloud orchestration platforms for the creation of digital services and the protection of cities, territories, environmental heritage.

Artificial Intelligence: developing robust AI capabilities to capitalise on data and apply functional models to improve decision making.

Mission-Critical Communications: solutions for mission-critical services, enabling technology evolution towards broadband and supporting next-generation operations.

Uncrewed systems

Uncrewed systems for air, land, and sea applications, civil and military, used in ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance) and training missions for threat simulation. Modular and flexible solutions that integrate platforms, radar and electro-optical sensors, mission systems and ground control stations. Technologies for the safe management of drone air traffic (UTM – Uncrewed Traffic Management) and for the countering of hostile drones (C-UAS – Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems).

Main products:

AWHERO: is the state of the art of rotary wing unmanned aircraft in the 200 kg class. It is able to provide operational superiority in the performance of complex roles and tasks, ensuring maximum mission readiness and operational effectiveness.

Falco EVO: versatile MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) tactical system for multi-mission surveillance, equipped with satellite connectivity and capable of flying for over 18 consecutive hours carrying payloads exceeding 200 kg.

Falco XPlorer: light MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) class system for the surveillance of large areas even in critical conditions. The uncrewed platform, developed for military and civil ISTAR (Intelligence Surveillance Target Aquisition Reconnaissance) missions, combines a flight persistence of over 24 hours with a load capacity of up to 350 kg.

Automation

Development of a complete range of systems and solutions for the automation of airport baggage handling, mail sorting centres and courier logistics hubs. Today, these solutions serve the aviation, postal and retail sectors worldwide, integrating systems and providing ongoing support, based on cutting-edge technologies and the highest standards of customer service.

Main products

MBHS (Multisorting Baggage Handling System): system based on the innovative Cross-Belt sorting technology, operational in many of the world’s major airports, which guarantees the system maximum operational efficiency, low management and maintenance costs, sorting accuracy and speed and scalability.

PPS (Parcel & Packet Services): turnkey solutions to manage the sorting of different types of parcels in fully automated logistics hubs, aimed at improving customers’ operational processes.

CSS (Customer Support & Services): modular and flexible after-sales assistance for all solutions dedicated to the management, sorting, and tracking of baggage, parcels and postal items.