Northrop Grumman [NOC] and Italy’s Leonardo this week said they will jointly pursue global opportunities in the market for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
The companies said the partnership will leverage Northrop Grumman’s expertise in advanced aircraft and autonomous UAS and Leonardo’s capabilities in rotorcraft for potential collaboration on air vehicle design, system architectures, payload optimization and integration with next-generation battlespace architectures.
“This collaboration comes at a time when we see emerging military and civil requirements worldwide in the uncrewed domain,” Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters, said in a statement. “This partnership will enable a strong and concerted approach to existing, as well as next-generation VTOL UAS technologies from two leading global aerospace engineering companies.”
In addition to designing, developing and manufacturing helicopters, Leonardo has also developed remotely piloted systems and provides complete uncrewed solutions to include platforms, sensors, mission system and ground control systems.
Northrop Grumman’s autonomous unmanned systems include Global Hawk, Fire Scout, Firebird, which can be flown manned as well, and the X-47B unmanned combat air system.
The companies highlighted previous partnerships between them over the years, including development of the AN/AAQ-24(V) Nemesis directed infrared countermeasure for the U.S. and United Kingdom, the U.S. Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasures program, and a maritime UAS for the Royal Australian Navy.