Piaggio Tests the new UAV Hammerhead P.1HH

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This trend is getting momentum. You take a manned aircarft and take out the pilot .

Italian business aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aero has furthered the flight test regime of its medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) derivative.

Flight trials of the aircraft are continuing in Sicily using the first prototype P.1HH Hammerhead demonstrator that made its first flight in November 2013.

According to Aviation Week Piaggio is working with Selex ES and they have validated and fine-tuned the control laws, including augmented modes, flight envelope protection and automatic flight. Automatic management of ground run during takeoff and landing also has been added, the companies said.

In addition, the two companies have begun work on the aircraft’s mission system. During flights from Trapani, engineers have been testing the aircraft’s electro-optical camera and mission management system, based on the Selex ES skyISTAR system. The company says it also will integrate the Selex Seaspray 7300E radar into the aircraft.