Piaggio Aerospace: the first retrofitted P.180 delivered to the Italian Air Force
After the latest
test flights, Piaggio Aerospace has successfully completed the retrofit of a
first P.180 operated by
the Italian Air Force: technicians
and engineers upgraded, certified and delivered a P.180 “Avanti I” - the first release
of the aircraft – carrying now a new configuration called Avanti II+, based on the latest aeronautical
technologies.
The delivery of
the “Leader Aircraft”- which will be used as a model for 12 additional planes -
represents a significant milestone in the Italian Armed Forces’ fleet long-term
modernisation programme, which also includes the production of 15 new P.180
Avanti EVO carrying a state-of-the-art configuration called “Avanti EVO+”.
As part of the
same program, a few days ago the first P.180 EVO+ left Piaggio Aerospace’s
premises in Villanova d’Albenga to reach the Company’s hangars in Genoa, where
it will be painted and furnished after further tests. Both the modernised aircraft and the new ones
will be equipped with updated avionics, a landing gear with enhanced steering
and anti-skid systems, and new, more efficient brakes.