At Leonardo, Alessandro Bianco is synonymous with the Eurofighter. For more than twenty years, he has been dedicated to the international programme originally developed to equip the Air Forces of Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain, which over time has gained new customers worldwide. Now that the fleet of 769 aircraft has reached the record of one million flight hours, Engineer Bianco has taken on a new role: from Eurofighter Technical Manager to Head of Fighters Chief Engineering. His new position, coordinating the engineering units, goes hand in hand with what, in light of the complex geopolitical context of recent years, is widely referred to as the “Renaissance era” of the Eurofighter.
“It is a highly complex programme whose evolution I have followed through its different phases: the Eurofighter has continuously renewed itself by integrating new architectures and technologies to be ready for future operational and technological challenges,” Alessandro explains from Leonardo’s Turin site. A native of Piedmont, he joined the company just a few months after graduating in Electronic Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin. His work in the avionics sector immediately sparked his interest: “I was challenged and entrusted with responsibility in a context of trust and collaboration, which proved highly rewarding.” Alessandro recalls being supported over the years by his managers, who encouraged his professional growth. In his new role as chief engineer for Fighters, his new challenge is to contribute to a long-term strategic vision for the Eurofighter programme, also with a view to integrating cutting-edge technologies for next-generation aircraft systems.
A keen swimmer and runner, Alessandro has devoted these years not only to his profession and the many business trips around the world: “My family has fully understood my professional passion, and I have also been able to dedicate time to my loved ones and my hobbies.” To young people who, like him years ago, are approaching the world of work after completing their studies, Alessandro points out that Leonardo, as an international company, offers numerous opportunities across different fields of production and technological innovation: “Above all, excellence is nurtured here: graduates can find great career opportunities – just as I have since joining Leonardo.”