Leonardo Showcases New Rotary UAS for Maritime Surveillance

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A new UAV will supply a cost-effective maritime surveillance and security solution to the Australian navy. The Italian company Leonardo has teamed with Air Affairs Australia to present its AWHERO rotary unmanned air system (RUAS) for the Navy’s future Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) fleet.

Leonardo said the new 200-kilogram category remotely piloted helicopter is the perfect fit for a number of Australian requirements supporting defense, law enforcement and border control programs. The remotely piloted helicopter is progressing towards certification in 2019.

Developed for land and naval operations, with maximum versatility in mind, Leonardo said the AWHERO is designed to deliver cost effectiveness for tasks such as maritime and border surveillance, homeland security, pipeline and powerline monitoring, monitoring the environment and critical infrastructure as well as supporting rescue efforts, disaster relief and damage assessment during natural disasters.

For maritime roles, the aircraft integrates a deck sensor and autopilot modes specially developed to permit landing and take-off from ships, according to defenceconnect.com.au.

AWHERO has a maximum gross weight of 205 kilograms and a useful load of 85 kilograms (fuel plus payload), with a maximum endurance in excess of six hours.