Fixed Wing

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, through-life 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. Selex ES provides around 60% of the defence electronics for the Eurofighter Typhoon, delivering outstanding situationial awareness through the Captor fire control radar, the PIRATE infrared search and track, and the Praetorian defensive aids systems, as well as mission-critical avionics and the provision of simulation, traaining and logistics support.

The Eurofighter Typhoon successfully supported the international mission over Libya as part of Operation Ellamy and demonstrated its capability for missions 24-hours a day, seven days a week and in all weathers.

As well as the technology developed for the Eurofighter Typhoon, 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 ES 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 ES is also a leading supplier of the IFF equipment required to identify friendly or hostile forces in the battlespace.

Finmeccanica is also a global leader in Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions developed by Selex ES, with proven surveillance radars and navigation aids enhancing the safety and management of civil and military air space in over 150 countries. In addition to implementing radars across the breadth of the British Isles, the Group is also responsible for Post Design Services for the UK MOD’s fleet of over 40 Operational Watchman Radars. The company is also part of the Fusion team currently bidding for the Project MARSHALL. This 22-year programme will provide long-term ATM capability for the safe operation of all the MOD’s main bases, airfields and air weapon ranges in the UK and overseas, including those used for deployed operations.

Platforms

Finmeccanica’s systems integration capability in the UK has its roots in our international manufacture of a broad range of fixed-wing aircraft. Our most advanced product 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, the company 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 ES, 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’.

As the reliability and longevity of extant platforms becomes more essential to support current and future operations, the training received by our armed forces needs to be exemplary. Selex ES provides the complete training solution for the UK Watchkeeper programme. The company also designs, develops and implements synthetic training programmes that enhance the knowledge, skills and aptitude of both aircrews and maintenance technicians, while reducing costs and the burden on operational equipment. Those already receiving the benefits of such training solutions include crews responsible for Eurofighter, F-16 and Tornado.