Group : Reconnaissance Rotorcrafts
Status : Active
Origin : Italy
Contractor : Leonardo
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : October 22, 2021
First Flight : December 2018
Total Production : ?

The AWHERO is a Rotary Unmanned Air System (RUAS) developed by Leonardo to meet the requirements of the Italian military. The unmanned system is designed to carry out surveillance in support of land and naval platforms as well as homeland security, search and rescue (SAR) and disaster relief operations. The AWHERO is a 200 kilogram class aircraft and took to the air for the first time in December 2018 and expected to receive type certification by the end of 2019. It features optimized airframe and aerodynamics, new fuel system, new composite tail rotor drive shaft and a new liquid cooled rotary engine. The AWHERO can stay airborne for six hours and can be fitted with the Gabbiano TS Ultralight radar and electro-optical sensors, electronic support measures (ESM), LiDAR laser radar and communications equipment. Besides, the aircraft features automatic taking off and landing capabilities for naval operations as well as low operating and maintenance costs. The AWHERO aircraft was awarded type certification on October 22, 2021.