AWHERO

HELICOPTERS DIVISION

Eye In The Skies

 MISSIONS
The AWHERO is designed to fulfill the spectrum of
short-range military missions, either Battlefield or
Maritime:
TACTICAL RUAS
ISTAR
The new AWHERO Rotary Unmanned Air System Force Protection
(RUAS) benefits from the Leonardo’s strength and Combat Support
extensive experience in rotorcraft development. The
Route Clearance
company ensures rapid systems integration thanks to
Cargo Re-Supply
its capabilities in every domain: Air Platform & Systems,
Maritime Security
Sensors, Datalink, Data processing and analysis, Cyber
BLOS Comms Relay
Security.
Antipiracy
The highly technologically RUAS includes a range of key
features: Riot Control
› Safety Critical Systems Redundancy to ensure High
System Integrity & Reliability PAYLOAD
› Automatic Failure Management EO/IR Turret
› Multiple and modular payload capacity Maritime RADAR
› Manned-Unmanned teaming capabilities. SAR
ESM
The AWHERO includes: ADS-B
› A NATO STANAG-4586 compliant Ground Control IFF
Station with two operator positions to separate LIDAR
Command & Control safety critical functions from AIS
Payload Management
› One or more Air Vehicles
› Redundant datalink composed by a Command &
Control and a Wide Band real-time Data Link system
› Transponder with ADS-B out and IFF as independent
systems to locate the Air Vehicle. MODULAR PAYLOAD BAYS
The AWHERO development incorporates early design Two modular payload bays host a range of sensors. The
features such as: payload can be nose, underbelly or side mounted. The
› International aeronautical standards nose bay can accommodate a 10” EO/IR turret or an 8”
› Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Testability EO/IR turret with radar, while the underbelly and side
(RAMT) concepts. bays can be used for heavier payloads.
READY FOR LAND AND guarantees high reliability and maintainability, ensuring
low operating costs. Triple-redundant flight control and
MARITIME OPERATIONS navigation system
› Redundant Data Link
The AWHERO can perform land operations from rough › Dual-redundant electrical system
terrain and in harsh environment and is ideally suited for › Independent flight termination system
maritime operations. Its low footprint and light
› Automatic emergency procedures:
weight means that it can be easily maneuvered, stowed
- Command & Control link loss contingency plans
and maintained in ships facility.
- GPS outage flight mode.

Main Naval Capability

› Automatic Deck Takeoff & Landing
› Easy handling on the deck
› Minimum Time from Alert to Launch
TRANSPORTABILITY
› Foldable blades to minimize footprint in the hangar
The AWHERO can be transported by land, sea,
› Heavy Fuel Engine
commercial air transport and strategic air lift. Blade
› Deck Lock system
fold without the need to remove any other part of the
› Integrated with ship Combat Management System. airframe reduces ranging for flight and quick stowage
post flight. The system, including tools and spares, is
storable in a 20ft standard container, compatible with

DATA PROVISION AND

global shipping requirement. The AWHERO stowage
condition supports parent ship units in high sea state
INTEROPERABILITY conditions.

Due to its modular architecture, the AWHERO can be

readily interfaced with the existing end-user networks in
order to provide: MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT
› Live Streaming Video
AND TRAINING
› Radar images
› Identified objects, ships, vehicles and persons The Leonardo Helicopters Customer Support &
› Automatic Identification System (AIS) information and Training worldwide network delivers an extensive
track of the vessels range of support solutions that are tailored to meet the
› Georeferenced objects. Customers’ unique requirements ranging from routine
spares & repairs, component availability solutions and
frontline manpower support through to fully Integrated
MAXIMIZED RELIABILITY Operational Support solutions.
Leonardo Helicopters designs, develops and delivers
The AWHERO is the only RUAS in its class that has integrated training solutions and services in the live and
been designed to the same safety design concept virtual training domains, from type conversion through
applied to helicopters such as systems redundancy and to full operational and mission capability.
GROUND CONTROL STATION
• Flexible and modular hardware configuration options:
- laptop
- portable rugged
- integrated with Control Room
• HMI designed leveraging the experience of Leonardo Helicopters’ test
pilots
• Compliant with STANAG 4586
• Common interface to control other Leonardo Helicopters unmanned
platforms.

Data Link

Command & Control Data-link

• Secure encrypted transmission according to FIPS security standard
(AES 256)
• Long-range coverage (50NM, optional 100NM)
• Duplex architecture solution provides complete hardware redundancy
to maximize mission reliability.

Payload Data Link

• Wide band based on MIMO technology
• Up to 2 simultaneous full HD video transmissions
• State-of-the-art compression technologies and encryption system
• Net mesh capability
• Long-range coverage (50NM, optional 100NM)
• Auto-tracking capability based on GPS and signal strength.

AWHERO CHARACTERISTICS

Weights
MTOW 200 kg class 441 lb
Useful Load (Payload + Fuel) 85 kg 87 lb

Performance
Endurance 6 hours (at 35 kg payload)
Ceiling 4,268 m 14,000 ft
Max Cruise Speed 167 km/h 90 kts

Dimensions
Main rotor diameter 4.00 m 13 ft 2 in
Length 3.70 m 12 ft 2 in
Height 1.20 m 3 ft 11 in
Width (with folded rotor) 1.2 m 3 ft 11 in

Engine Heavy Fuel (JP-5, JP-8, Jet A-1)

Leonardo Leonardo Helicopters

Società per azioni Head Office:
Registered Head Office: Via Giovanni Agusta, 520
Piazza Monte Grappa, 4 21017 Cascina Costa di
00195 Rome - Italy Samarate - Italy
T +39 06 324731 T +39 0331 229111

leonardocompany.com
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AWHERO-Mk-0419-013