Aircraft

Across the world, Finmeccanica designs, develops, manufactures and supports a number of fixed-wing platforms and conducts the production and integration of their avionics and mission systems. This range of platforms is capable of undertaking roles such as air superiority, ground attack, tactical transport, and strategic and tactical surveillance. In the UK, the focus is very much on the design, development and integration of the enabling mission electronics, including communications, defensive aids, surveillance technologies and airborne radar. The group also delivers the necessary training, support services and infrastructure – providing complete, throughlife capability.

Leading-edge Technologies

Based around its Centres of Technology Excellence, Finmeccanica companies in the UK possess world-leading technology in radar, electro-optics and night vision, secure communications, electronic warfare and self-protection. These technologies are pivotal to the capability of a modern combat aircraft. One of the most technically advanced airborne radar systems in the world, CAPTOR – developed by Euroradar and led by SELEX Galileo – is the primary sensor for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The company is also leading the way in developing a complete family of
next generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars for surveillance, air intercept and fire control.

Finmeccanica’s Defensive Aids Systems provide integrated sensors and powerful processing technologies to identify and counter threats to airborne platforms. SELEX Galileo is the prime contractor for Praetorian, the integrated protection system of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The company also develops critical technologies, such as leading-edge lasers for defensive countermeasure systems.

SELEX Galileo provides around 60% of the avionics and mission critical systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon as well as the Infrared Search and Track, chosen by Italy, UK, Spain and Saudi Arabia, which has sold more than 400 units. Equally, the electro-optical targeting system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is based on technology developed in the UK.

Communications systems are crucially important in providing the connections needed in today’s networked world. SELEX Elsag is Finmeccanica’s centre of excellence in this field, providing satellite communications, secure radios and data-links. The company also supplies a wide range of navigational aids, including advanced landing systems and GPS-integrated sensors. Another example of innovation is its obstacle warning systems for low-flying aircraft that support safe operations in hazardous fast-jet environments. SELEX Elsag is also a leading supplier of the IFF equipment required to identify friendly or hostile forces in the battlespace.

Platforms

Finmeccanica’s systems integration capability in the UK has its roots in our international manufacture of a broad range of fixed-wing aircraft. The most advanced of our products is the Eurofighter Typhoon, a supersonic twin-engine aircraft, developed and produced in collaboration across four European nations. Through Alenia Aeronautica, Finmeccanica is one of the prime contractors In the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium. To prepare the pilots of the future for aircraft such as Typhoon, Finmeccanica – through Alenia Aermacchi – provides a family of training aircraft from turboprop platforms through to advanced/lead-in fighter trainers such as the M-346. As for support aircraft, the C27J Spartan, also designed and produced by Alenia Aeronautica, is the only medium tactical military airlifter designed to full military specifications.

The most complex area for the future concerns the development of Unmanned Aerial Systems. Finmeccanica, through its companies Alenia Aeronautica and SELEX Galileo, has developed a family of UAS ranging from the large, medium altitude, long endurance ‘Sky Y’ platform, to tactical surveillance systems such as the ‘Falco’ and man-portable micro systems, such as the ‘Crex’ and ‘Asio’. Each of our platforms include various payloads, common ground stations and training systems.

SELEX Systems Integration provides the complete training solution for the UK Watchkeeper programme, employing advanced training technology and realistic synthetic environments to deliver enhanced operational effectiveness. This capability is transferable to all UK UAV programmes. Finally, through international partnerships, Finmeccanica builds a number of civil platforms for the regional aircraft market, including the Sukhoi Superjet 100 and the ATR family.