Rome 08 May 2017 10:20
- Industrial and commercial collaboration with Turkish companies is a central part of Leonardo's strategy
- On display will be Leonardo's latest products & technologies for civilian and military applications
- The Göktürk satellite programme, an integrated air traffic management system for more than 20 airports, and a coastal safety system are examples of recent Leonardo successes in Turkey
From the 9th to 12th May, Leonardo will be exhibiting at IDEF (Stand A 313), the 13th edition of Turkey’s major defence and security exhibition. Leonardo has been doing business in Turkey for more than forty years, participating in major civilian and military projects such as the T129 helicopter, Meltem 3 coastal patrol program, optic sensors for the Navy and more recently the Göktürk satellite programme.
Leonardo’s technologies provide security for the people of Turkey on a daily basis, for example via the new air traffic management and control system, which links over 20 air traffic control towers with Ankara's main operations centre. Leonardo’s Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) ensures the safety of Turkey’s coast line and seaports, providing an integrated and comprehensive view of maritime traffic in its territorial waters.
Leonardo has an industrial presence in Turkey with its Selex ES Elektronik Turkey subsidiary, which since the 1990s has been producing and supporting secure communications systems, avionics, naval sensors for situational awareness and air traffic control systems. The company, headquartered in Gölbaşı (Ankara), has also delivered programmes such as the integrated vessel communication system used by the Turkish Coast Guard for search and rescue.
Mauro Moretti, Managing Director and General Manager of Leonardo, said, "Our experience in Turkey allows us to present ourselves as a strategic partner for Turkish industries in the aerospace, defence and security sectors. Leonardo has already proven we can develop and offer world class technologies and products to Turkey including satellites, helicopters and advanced civilian and military electronics. In fact, more than ten years ago, Leonardo started its first major industrial collaborations in-country that today contribute significantly to Turkey’s technological independence.”
This year, at IDEF, Leonardo is presenting the capabilities offered by its C-27J, a tactical transport aircraft ideally suited to the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. The C-27J, already chosen by 14 customers, delivers outstanding performance in terms of speed, agility and load capacity. The C-27J can perform all its missions from unprepared runways and in hostile environments. It is also interoperable with other transport aircraft already in use in the country.
As the European leader in electronics and security systems, Leonardo is ready to offer its technologies and expand its collaboration with industrial partners that are leading Turkey’s key aeronautical programmes. Examples of these technologies are being exhibited at IDEF and include a mock-up of the Gripen-E aircraft’s electronics suite. This incorporates Leonardo’s Raven ES-05 electronically scanning radar, Mode 5 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system and the Skyward IRST (Infra-Red Search and Track) optical sensor. Also on display will be the BriteCloud Expendable Active Decoy electronic protection system and the readily exportable Miysis DIRCM (Directed InfraRed Countermeasure) system for the protection of aircraft from heat seeking missiles.
In the helicopter field, Leonardo has a complete range of solutions for military and public service requirements in Turkey. The twin-engine AW169 intermediate light, AW139 intermediate and AW189 super-medium weight class helicopters are Leonardo's new generation of helicopters, designed to carry out missions such as coastal patrol and search and rescue. In addition, the company’s top-of-the-range AW101 features high technology, long range and a large cabin. The AgustaWestland AW609 TiltRotor is also potentially of great interest in the region, as it combines the cruise speed, height and range of a turbo-prop aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter. Thanks to its exceptional performance and pressurized cabin, the AW609 opens up new opportunities for a wide range of applications including corporate transport, offshore transportation, search and rescue, emergency health services and security missions.
Also of interest to the Turkish market is the advanced M-346 trainer, already chosen by Italy, Israel, Poland and Singapore. The M-346 is ideal for training pilots to operate the latest generation of fighters such as the F-35. The aircraft is also offered in Fighter/Trainer and Fighter/Attack configurations.
At IDEF Leonardo will be exhibiting its family of broadband radio systems with SDR (Software Defined Radio) technology, which includes tactical, handheld, vehicle, naval and avionics devices in addition to the latest portable version. These products are able to operate across a wide range of frequencies, ensuring interoperability when participating in joint international operations. The exhibition will also see the presentation of systems with the ability to monitor and defend airspace such as the multifunctional Kronos Land radar, a tactical version of the Kronos family, which provides instant reaction capability with total airspace coverage. This radar can be configured as part of a complete defence system or as a stand-alone sensor to support aerial, naval, and ground operations. Leonardo’s defence electronics portfolio at IDEF also includes the Horizon infrared camera and Linx targeting system which will be present on the stand.
Leonardo is also a key player in the space market. Telespazio, a Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%) joint venture, will be exhibiting a model of the Göktürk-1 satellite supplied to the Turkish Ministry of Defence for earth observation. Telespazio, which is the prime contractor and integrator of the system, has delivered the ground station that includes mission control capabilities, orbital satellite management, and data acquisition and processing systems. The satellite, equipped with a high-resolution optical sensor, was created by Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67% and Leonardo 33%) with local industrial partners including TAI, Aselsan, Tubitak BILGEM, Roketsan. The system also includes a Satellite Integration and Test Center located in Ankara. The Göktürk-1 satellite was successfully launched on the 5th December 2016 and is operated by the Turkish Air Force. The COSMO-SkyMed satellite observation system will also be showcased, the first dual-use system able to observe the planet during night and day in any weather condition with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR).