Aircraft
Leonardo Reveals New Lightweight Surveillance Radar
The Osprey is an AESA type that offers 360-degree coverage without moving parts
The three flat-panel antenna locations for the Osprey radar on the AW101 helicopter are indicated here. (photo: Finmeccanica)
The three flat-panel antenna locations for the Osprey radar on the AW101 helicopter are indicated here. (photo: Finmeccanica)

Italy's Leonardo group (the new name for Finmeccanica) is marketing a multimode surveillance radar that electronically scans 360 degrees without using a "spinning" antenna. The company says the new product, named Osprey, is the world’s first lightweight e-scan system with no moving parts. The first radar has already flown on the first of 16 AW101 Merlins destined for search and rescue duties with the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The company has secured two more undisclosed customers in the U.S., for fixed-wing applications.