Leonardo Helicopters revealed the AW249 exploration and escort helicopter at Eurosatory in Paris last week, while its test program ramps up to include four test aircraft.
The next generation AW249 combat helicopter is an exploration and escort helicopter for the Italian Army and will replace the AW129. A production contract is expected to be agreed soon, with deliveries planned to begin during 2027.
The AW249, which has a maximum take-off weight of 8.3 ton, features digitization, connectivity, sensor-fusion, information superiority and interoperability enabling a force-multiplier in multi-domain operations
An AW249 prototype carried out its maiden flight in 2022. Four prototypes have since been built, with two flying aircraft involved in performance, system integration and payload testing and two more recently completed and expected to join the testing program soon.
Lorenzo Mariani, co-general manager of Leonardo said, “The AW249 epitomises the key winning factors and enablers we’ve identified in our defence and security strategy – digital with a strong use of AI technologies, connected in a multi-domain/net-centric scenario, cyber-protected, with great autonomy and capable of collaborative operations with remotely piloted systems. All of this is fully embedded into an advanced system leveraging the very best of our competitive position in the rotorcraft and airborne electronics field.”
According to Leonardo, the AW249 (designated AH-249A NEES – Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazione e Scorta – known as the ‘Fenice’) is the only Western clean-sheet combat helicopter design in development that meets stringent emerging operational requirements for the next 30 years.
The AW249 features an open architecture with significant growth and system/capability adaptation to respond to market requirements. It features an advanced large area display human-machine-interface and touch screen/gesture recognition devices in a tandem-seating cockpit and a Leonardo-developed Battle Management System. Displays and a modern pilot helmet enable the crew to rapidly access critical information on flight, navigation and the mission provided by multiple sensing and advanced connectivity.
The AW249 can perform a variety of missions including aerial escort, close air support, close combat attack and air interdiction. The helicopter can also act as the information acquisition element of a C4 system (ISTAR), using surveillance systems to scan the territory, identify ground units for its own use or to disseminate the information through a secure channel to the Command & Control Centre and leverage crewed-Uncrewed teaming opportunities.
Powerful engines enable operations in the most extreme conditions with shipboard operational capability designed in from the start. The AW249 is equipped with a flexible weapon system that includes guided and unguided 70mm rockets, air-to-air infrared guided missiles, and air-to-ground radio frequency or fibre optic guided missiles in addition to a 20mm 3-barrell Gatling gun.
Outstanding survivability leverages on an advanced Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS), together with armoured seats and ballistic tolerant fuel tanks, crashworthiness and low detectability and in addition to the superior situational awareness delivered by its navigation and sensor-fusion ability. The AW249 is being developed also with digital simulation capabilities and a state-of-the-art technical support and training service approach in mind, benefitting from high fidelity mission simulation and virtual reality and prescriptive maintenance via data gathering and analysis, among others.
