First Flight for Leonardo's Falco Xplorer UAV | Aviation International News

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

First Flight for Leonardo's Falco Xplorer UAV

At around twice the size of earlier Falco platforms, the Xplorer is a high-end tactical ISR system with all its major elements created in-house.

With an Italian air force HH-139A in attendance, the first Falco Xplorer prepares to launch on its maiden flight from the Trapani flight test center on January 15. (photo: Leonardo)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

January 19, 2020

Leonardo’s largest remotely piloted air system (RPAS) to date, the Falco Xplorer, made its first flight on January 15. Serial number 0001 took off from the Italian air force flight test center at Trapani, Sicily, and flew for around an hour over the sea before safely returning to the air base. The ensuing test campaign will include verification of its compliance with NATO STANAG 4671 airworthiness requirements.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

U.S. Navy Tests Autonomy Integration With MQ-20 Drone

Adaptive autonomy elements can modify a mission plan in real-time

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

drone in flight above desert

Northrop Grumman Starts Flying Talon Blue Combat Drone

Autonomous vehicle could compete for U.S. Air Force collaborative combat aircraft program

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Uncrewed aircraft getting airborne from runway, hangar in background

Joby’s Autonomous Caravan Completes Coast-to-coast Trip

On-board safety pilot made no control inputs over 3,199 miles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Joby’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan flies past Bodie Island Lighthouse

Bristow Triples Early-delivery Chaparral Reservations

Helicopter operator has reserved 15 of the hybrid-electric cargo drones

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Elroy Air’s hybrid-electric Chaparral cargo drone is parked beside a helicopter from Bristow

Beamed Power Could Keep Solar Aircraft Aloft in Winter

BAE Systems unit gets $21.2 million to test the idea with PHASA-35

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

PHASA-35

Textron, Merlin Unveil Uncrewed SkyCourier Concept

Design study swaps the cockpit for a nose cargo door

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Cessna SkyCourier UX Render

Lockheed Martin Will Build Four Vectis Drone Prototypes

The U.S. defense group displayed a UAS model at the Air & Space Forces Association conference

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Lockheed Martin Vectis UAS

Swarm Pitches Gamera for New U.S. Drone Requirements

U.S. Air Force is seeking a more affordable replacement for MQ-9A Reapers

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Swarm Aero Gamera drone