Company / Aerial Drones
Leonardo
Italian aerospace, defence and security group with the Falco Xplorer and AWHERO unmanned aircraft and a stake in the Eurodrone programme.
Rome, ItalyAerial Drones systems
About the company
About Leonardo
Leonardo S.p.A. is an Italian aerospace, defence and security group headquartered in Rome and listed on the Milan stock exchange. Its US subsidiary Leonardo DRS is listed separately.
In unmanned systems, Leonardo offers the Falco Xplorer fixed-wing unmanned aircraft and the AWHERO rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system. Together with Airbus and Dassault Aviation, it is one of the industrial partners of the European Eurodrone MALE programme.
In the news14 stories
Counter-UAS with jet trainers: Slovakia wants the Aero L-39NG Skyfox as a drone hunter too
Counter-UAS as an additional task for the new jet trainer: Slovakia’s last two L-39 Albatros reach the end of their service life at the end of 2026, and Minister Kaliňák is promoting armed L-39NG Skyfox. The opposition misses a transparent procedure.
Counter-UAS in Romania: US system Merops operational and integrated into the army
Provided by the United States and now integrated into the Romanian Army's defence system: Merops is to strengthen the country's counter-UAS capability. One interceptor costs around 12,700 euros, and the system is considered combat-proven in Ukraine.
LBA Systems: Italy approves Leonardo and Baykar drone joint venture under strict conditions
In June, the Italian government approved LBA Systems, the joint venture of Leonardo and Baykar – with sales restrictions and the “golden power” rule. The conditions show the military, industrial and security-policy importance of the cooperation.
Unmanned systems in teaming: Leonardo M-346FA flies in formation with Baykar's Kizilelma
In Çorlu, Leonardo and Baykar have taken crewed-uncrewed teaming from simulation into the air. Further flight tests are planned for the K-SWARM programme, which aims to bring crewed jets and unmanned systems closer together.
Leonardo CEO: board of directors appoints Lorenzo Mariani to head the group
The new Leonardo CEO is Lorenzo Mariani, whose career has switched several times between the group and MBDA. At the same time, a “General Management” department is being created under Co-General Manager Gian Piero Cutillo.
Counter-UAS with 70 mm rockets: Belgian F-16s test the FZ275 LGR, which the Bundesheer is also receiving
For counter-UAS use, the Belgian Luchtmacht has tested Thales Belgium's FZ275 LGR guided rocket on F-16s near Lombardsijde on the North Sea coast. This is relevant for Austria: the same weapon is to arm the Bundesheer's AW169MA and M-346FA.
Bayraktar TB3 for the 'Cavour': Italian Navy to acquire Turkish drone via Leonardo
Italy apparently intends to procure the Bayraktar TB3 for the aircraft carrier 'Cavour' (C 550). Before a Senate committee, Vice Admiral Berutti Bergotto named Leonardo as the procurement route and surveillance and armed missions as its tasks.
Kamikaze drone K2: Baykar unveils AI-supported swarm drone
With the K2, Baykar is also following the AI trend: the kamikaze drone is designed to fly in swarms, navigate without GNSS and reach more than 2,000 kilometres. First formation flights over the Gulf of Saros have been completed.
Unmanned helicopter Proteus: Leonardo's British demonstrator takes off for the first time
Proteus has made its maiden flight in Cornwall. As an unmanned helicopter developed by Leonardo, it is to show the Royal Navy how autonomous aircraft can operate alongside crewed platforms – up to and including anti-submarine warfare.
Drone industry: Leonardo and Baykar to manufacture in Italy through LBA Systems
The TB2, TB3, Akinci and Kizilelma are to be built at three Italian sites. What the LBA Systems joint venture plans for the drone industry in Europe – and why certification for civil airspace remains the biggest hurdle.
Combat drone Kizilelma: Baykar UCAV engages F-16 beyond visual range in test
Off Sinop, the Turkish stealth combat drone Bayraktar Kizilelma engaged a jet beyond visual range with a Gökdogan missile. What role the UCAV could play in the GCAP programme in future – and what remains open about the test.
Drone start-up Hydra Drones: MBDA takes a minority stake
European defence group MBDA is investing a six-figure sum in British drone start-up Hydra Drones. Its heavy-lift transport drone, the Hydra 400, carries up to 400 kilograms, and a complete prototype is due later this year.
Combat drone Bayraktar TB3 hits naval target with IHA-122 supersonic missile
A naval target more than 50 kilometres away, hit on the first attempt: Baykar's TB3 combat drone has tested Roketsan's new supersonic missile. At the same time, Baykar is deepening its cooperation with Leonardo.
Attack drone Sarisa II fires Thales FZ275 – the rocket the Austrian Armed Forces will soon use
What the Austrian Armed Forces are procuring for their new AW169 helicopter is already launched from an attack drone in Greece: SAS Technology has tested guided and unguided Thales FZ275 rockets with the Sarisa II.