Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Italian Navy Begins Operating M-40 Target Drone
Leonardo's target drone portfolio has expanded with the introduction of the M-40, which recently entered operational service
The cost-effective M-40 shares the configuration of the Mirach 100/5 but has reduced speed performance. (photo: Leonardo)
The cost-effective M-40 shares the configuration of the Mirach 100/5 but has reduced speed performance. (photo: Leonardo)

The Italian navy has used its new M-40 target drone for the first time in support of a domestic exercise. It was operated alongside the Mirach 100/5 in simulating threats that could be encountered during at-sea operations. Italy is the launch customer for the M-40 variant of Leonardo’s family of targets—a system unveiled during the Paris air show in 2017. During the exercise, the aircraft carrier Cavour and its AV-8B Harrier IIs were operated alongside the destroyer Mimbelli, with the M-40 representing threats to which the various defenses could react.