Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
KC-390 Millennium multirole tanker/transport aircraft. (Photo: Embraer)
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has signed a new MoU with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) for ‘potential strategic collaboration relating to aerospace research’, the two organisations announced on 23 November.
Among the research areas included in the MoU are defence systems, to build on a history of collaboration between Embraer and the NLR on aircraft such as the KC-390 Millennium.
‘In this context, the two companies are already discussing potential opportunities related to automated maintenance procedures,’ Embraer and NLR noted.
The latest announcement follows an MoU between Embraer and the Netherlands Aerospace Group in September 2021 to discuss potential strategic relationships in the fields of aviation and sustainability.
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
Europe’s capacity to fill the capability gaps created by the US pause on military aid to Ukraine is uncertain, according to analysts, but European defence industry leaders have stressed their readiness to meet demand.
The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.
The helicopters have been remanufactured using common parts from the British Army AH-64 MkI fleet with the 17 not being converted going for a range of uses such as engineering, ground handling and other training.
The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.
The test is a first for the kit, developed via a partnership between Aselsan and Tübitak SAGE, to hit a high-speed moving target.