Leonardo officially unveiled to the international public the AW249, a new attack helicopter designed for the Italian Army, at Eurosatory in Paris. The AW249 is touted as the first entirely new Western combat helicopter in over 30 years.
Photo: Leonardo
The AW249, nicknamed “Fenice” (Phoenix), prioritizes adaptability and future-proofing. Developed with an “agile” development process, the helicopter allows for continuous improvement and integration of new technologies throughout design and production. This approach is crucial in keeping pace with the rapid advancements in modern warfare.
The AW249 is built for complex, high-threat scenarios, particularly “peer-to-peer” conflicts where opposing forces have similar capabilities. It excels in Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments with limited access and heavy defenses. Furthermore, the helicopter is designed to seamlessly integrate into a broader multi-domain combat network, ensuring interoperability across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
The AW249 is a product of close collaboration between the Italian Ministry of Defence and Leonardo. Pilot feedback from the Italian Army Aviation (AVES) played a crucial role in shaping the helicopter’s features to address real-world operational needs.
Compared with the AW129, the AW249 offers significant improvements in range, speed, maneuverability, and ease of handling. A next-generation Battlefield Management System (BMS) forms the heart of the avionics suite, integrating and processing vast amounts of data for intuitive presentation to the crew via Large Area Displays (LADs) or Integrated Helmet Display Systems (IHDS). Identical pilot and copilot workstations facilitate workload sharing and expedite decision-making during critical missions.
Leonardo has equipped the AW249 with a comprehensive suite of sensors, including LIDAR, infrared sensors, and microwave radar, to provide exceptional situational awareness, especially crucial for low-altitude operations. Sensor fusion combines data from various sources to create a more accurate picture of the surrounding environment. A digital database further enhances awareness and allows for navigation in low-visibility conditions.
This new attack helicopter incorporates predictive maintenance systems to optimize maintenance schedules and minimize downtime. The future integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will enable prescriptive maintenance, using simulations to anticipate potential issues and maintain component efficiency. AI will also be used for real-time calculations, optimizing flight paths and obstacle avoidance.
The AW249 can be seamlessly integrated with UAVs, extending its intelligence-gathering capabilities and overall mission effectiveness. This crewed-uncrewed teaming allows for coordinated operations between manned helicopters and unmanned drones.
The AW249 is expected to enter production in 2027, replacing the Italian Army’s aging AW129 fleet. Leonardo positions the AW249 as a strong contender in both domestic and international markets, highlighting its potential for collaborative operations with remotely piloted systems.
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