Defense & Security
Piaggio Aerospace has entered the field of defence and security as a major player, designing and developing innovative Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and advanced Multirole Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
Unmanned systems are the future of land, sea and air security due to their peerless operational versatility. Piaggio Aerospace is one of the few companies in the world in possession of both the technology and the experience to design, develop and build unmanned Medium Altitude Long Endurance class systems (MALE).
Designed to integrate the most sophisticated navigation and mission management systems currently available, the P.1HH HammerHead redefines not just the standard but the very concept of aerial patrol, offering the international market the most innovative and versatile UAS in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance field.
Parallel to these developments, an advanced new generation of MPA Multirole Patrol aircraft make Piaggio Aerospace a major player in an emerging market sector essential to ground, coast, maritime and offshore security and defence: state of the art aerial patrol aircraft that can be relied on for maximum effectiveness in any operational missions theatre.
P.1HH HammerHead
Piaggio Aerospace P.1HH HammerHead is an unmanned aircraft system consisting of a remotely piloted aerial vehicle (UAV), a ground control station (GCS) and integrated navigation and mission systems. Positioned at the very top end of remotely piloted MALE aircraft, it is ATOL capable (Automatic Take Off and Landing), able to reach altitudes of 13,700 meters maintaining 16 hours of flight endurance. With datalink connections to the UAV delivered through a line of sight communication system (LoS) and via satellite beyond line of sight (BLOS), the P.1HH Hammerhead ground control station enables the aircraft’s navigation and mission systems to be remotely controlled at all times in all places.
Achieving an innovative combination of autonomy, speed and maximum altitude, P.1HH boasts a level of control and operational adaptability that guarantee its place at the very apex of the remotely piloted MALE aircraft category.
Remote control systems, management of mission data and the P.1HH Hammerhead ground segment system are based on the innovative SkyISTAR from Selex ES, leading-edge producer of ISR equipment, assuring smart response to threats ranging from terrorist attacks and illegal immigration to the protection of exclusive economic zones (EEZ), infrastructure and critical sites. Together, Piaggio Aerospace and Selex ES embody a tradition of excellence in the development, production and industrialisation of surveillance systems.
Derived from the P.180 Avanti platform and redesigned with a new aerodynamic configuration, greater wing extension (15.5 m) and a higher payload capacity, P.1HH combines specific structural interventions to the established P.180 turboprop propellers and its unique three lifting surfaces configuration (3LSC). The outer wing section of the P.1HH UAV is detachable to allow transportability on the ground, making it possible to use the aircraft in any operating scenario.
Designed to integrate the most sophisticated navigation and mission management systems currently available, P.1HH HammerHead redefines not just the standard but the very concept of aerial patrol, offering the international market the most innovative and versatile UAS in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance field (ISR).
For more information on P.1HH HammerHead, visit the dedicated site:
Piaggio Aerospace MPA
The Piaggio Aerospace MPA is a manned Multirole Patrol Aircraft, designed as an evolution and development of the P.180 Avanti II for Special Mission applications. The aircraft is intended for aerial surveillance missions as well as ground, coastal and marine patrols.
Piaggio Aerospace has been developing its MPA Multirole Patrol Aircraft in partnership with ADASI - Abu Dhabi Autonomous System Investments, part of the Tawazun group. Currently forming joint ventures with a variety of leading international companies, ADASI manages technological and industrial development programs for the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates.
Unlike its civilian aircraft forerunner, MPA has a new aerodynamic configuration, greater wing extension and a higher payload capacity. The combination of specific structural interventions to the established P.180 turboprop propellers and its unique three lifting surfaces configuration developed by Piaggio Aerospace, allow the MPA to patrol broad areas in low altitude operations for up to 7 hours, an operating range of over 6,100 km, maximum flight altitude of 12,500 meters and a cruise speed of 650 km / hour.
Designed for all types of surveillance mission, MPA is equally suited to coastal and maritime patrol, ground surveillance and intelligence missions. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, the Multirole Patrol Aircraft is a twin-engine turbo propeller aircraft with the largest cabin of its category, which can readily be equipped with systems and consoles for any type of surveillance mission. Unmatched cabin quietness and optimised pressurisation levels offer its crew a comfortable working environment and minimise fatigue. Aerodynamically ahead of the curve, its patented three lifting surfaces configuration (3LSC) subjected to countless hours of wind tunnel testing have resulted in unprecedented efficiency; MPA consumes 30% less fuel than the nearest competitor in its class.
Developed in collaboration with Saab Defence and Security Systems, the first Piaggio Aerospace MPA production model dedicated to maritime patrol is fully equipped with search radar and electro optical and infrared sensors integrated into a sophisticated mission system, making it the most advanced surveillance aircraft on the market.
For more information about MPA, visit the dedicated site: