Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani gave details on the production of Baykar’s TB2, TB3, AKINCI, and KIZILELMA UAVs at three facilities under the LBA Systems JV.
Flight Global reported that LBA Systems will commence production of Baykar’s UAV platforms, as well as Leonardo’s dormant Mirach high-speed UAV, after the regulatory processes are completed.
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani stated that three facilities will host the joint production run.
Firstly, the KIZILELMA unmanned fighter will be produced at Leonardo’s Grottaglie facility located in southern Italy. The facility has been producing composite fuselage sections for the Boeing 787 airliners.
Cingolani underlined Leonardo’s vision for KIZILELMA as a universal fighter that can be plugged into any asset, provided the control interface can be set up.
On the other hand, STOL-capable Bayraktar TB3, which has performed many sorties from TCG Anadolu (L400) LHD and fire-tested multiple munition types, will be produced in Leonardo's Ronchi dei Legionari facility in northern Italy.
LBA's proposal for Bayraktar TB3 includes the integration of the ULISSES acoustic processor that allows a platform to detect sub-surface targets through multi-static sensing.
Finally, Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI will be produced by Piaggio Aerospace, which was acquired by Baykar not long before the announcement of the LBA Systems JV by Baykar and Leonardo. The facility will also continue the production of Avanti high-speed turboprop aircraft that can be utilised as an airliner, MPA, and ISR aircraft.
Leonardo also previously outlined the types of payloads or onboard systems that can be integrated on Baykar's platforms, as the motto of the venture goes as "Baykar's platforms, Leonardo's systems" to offer appealing solutions to European market and potentially other regions. Some of the systems include LEOSS-T EO/IR, BriteStorm compact EW system, Skyward IRST, Osprey AESA radars (Osprey 30 already in use by Poland onboard Bayraktar TB2), and navigation systems.
KIZILELMA as a Loyal Wingman for GCAP
Previously, during the announcement of LBA Systems JV, Roberto Cingolani made a remark on KIZILELMA unmanned fighter's potential to operate as a loyal wingman for the next-generation fighter to come out of the tri-lateral GCAP programme (The UK, Italy, Japan). Later on, during Paris Airshow where LBA Systems made its debut, Cingolani stated that Italy was evaluating its options for a GCAP loyal wingman as unmanned M345, unmanned M346, and KIZILELMA.
Italy's quick proceeding to KIZILELMA's production is a sign that KIZILELMA is to come out as Italy's loyal wingman for its future fighters. KIZILELMA, differing from other loyal wingman UAVs, has an identical layout to a fifth generation fighter jet with high agility, low observability features including internal bays, onboard AESA radar (MURAD 100-A initially), EOTS (TOYGUN 100), and provision for an IRST (KARAT 100).
KIZILELMA's low observability, high agility, and provision for a wide array of equipment makes it a fitting companion to low-observable manned fighters that can not only provide sensing support but a considerable firepower support through air-to-air missiles or air-to-surface weapons.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
