Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s new Osprey X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has been selected by the U.S. Navy for mounting on its MQ-8C VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle.
Photo: Leonardo
The Osprey radar consists of three panels for 360 degree field of regard. The Italian company has incorporated algorithms from its other radar product lines such as the Seaspray maritime search radar and Vixen air-to-air radar into the Osprey. This could theoretically give the MQ-8C an airborne early warning capability while operating on small ships.