On June 17^th, after a quick review of Leonardo’s products in the Chalet at Le Bourget, Italian Prime Minister Conte assisted to the unveiling of the youngest brother of Leonardo’s Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS)  — Falco — family. The Falco Xplorer is the largest drone manufactured by Leonardo. Thus, it can carry a 350 kg payload with a 1.3 t maximum take-off weight. It offers over 24 hours of flight time endurance and is able to communicate through satellites.

Currently undergoing the last ground tests to obtain its certification, the Falco Xplorer is expected to embark on its maiden flight in June from Trapani Airport in Italy. Besides, the new RPAS has been designed and manufactured in Europe. Consequently, it is not bound by International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). In addition, its technical characteristics place it within the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) class II category.

Leonardo designed this drone to respond to civil customers’ needs such as coast guards and emergency responders as well as the military market. The platform will come equipped with a Gabbiano T-80 surveillance radar, LEOSS electro-optical turret, SAGE electronic intelligence (ELINT) system and an automatic identification system (AIS) for maritime use. The sensor suite can be adjusted for customer requirements, including integrating third-party sensors.

The Xplorer joins the Falco family, already composed of the Falco itself and Falco EVO. More than 50 drones have already been sold by Leonardo which offers to operate the drone on behalf of customers as a managed service.