Leonardo Finmeccanica Committed to Delivering the Best Solution for Turkey, one of Their Crucial Partners
Managing Director of Leonardo-Finmeccanica Defense System Division, Mr. Roberto Cortesi assessed the new structure, products, core capabilities with new formation under Leonardo, R&D programs, on going programs and activities performed over the years in Turkey for Defence Turkey Readers
Defence Turkey: Mr. Cortesi first of all could you please inform us about Leonardo Finmeccanica Defense Systems Division’ new structure, products, core capabilities with new formation under Leonardo?
Leonardo Finmeccanica Defense Systems Division, being the merge of former OTO Melara S.p.A. and former WASS S.p.A. Companies, consists of six Lines of Business with products including large, medium and small naval guns, land turret gun systems, airborne gun systems, heavyweight and lightweight torpedoes, anti-missile and anti-torpedo countermeasure systems, Sonar Systems and unmanned vehicles. This wide product gamma makes Leonardo the only company able to comply with any naval operational requirement related to above-water and underwater warfare.
Defence Turkey: As it is well known that former OTO Melara made sound achievements in naval projects in Turkey. Could you please inform us about your ongoing programs and activities performed over the years in Turkey?
OTO Melara has achieved good results in providing naval guns to the Turkish Navy during the past 30 years. Programs like “Kılıç” Class Corvettes and, more recently, the New Type Patrol Boats and Coast Guard Patrol Boats as well as the MILGEM Class of ships have been equipped with our products. As Leonardo –Finmeccanica Defense Systems Division we are currently delivering 40mm guns for the LST ships under construction and we are committed to continue to support SSM and the Navy by providing our systems and services for the upcoming programs.
Defence Turkey: What is your approach to the new naval projects like MILGEM 5-8, TF-2000 (Anti-Air Warfare Frigate) and Turkish Fast Patrol Boat?
These programs are very important to us. We can deliver the most advanced technology available in the field of medium and large caliber naval artillery. The 76/62 Super Rapid naval gun is ”state-of- the-art” equipment that can engage any type of air and surface target and provide maximum defense capability both in conventional and asymmetric warfare including engagements of highly maneuverable targets by means of DART guided monition. The 127/64LW “Vulcano” is the most modern and performing large caliber gun system available in the world allowing for effective naval gun fire support at over 40 nautical miles with metric precision thanks to the capability to fire the 127mm “Vulcano” guided ammunition. We are willing to provide the Navy with these capabilities to continue the path started together over 30 years ago. In order to do this we are seeking for the upcoming programs, such as MILGEM, TF 2000 and TFPB, opportunities of cooperation especially in terms of support and maintenance.
Defence Turkey: Your company has a presence with its airborne weapons in Turkey as well. You provided Gatling guns for the Turkish “Atak” program. Could you please inform our readers on the up-to-date status of this program?
Through Leonardo Helicopters, former Agusta Westland, we are providing our 20mm Gatling TM197B turret to equip the “Atak” helicopters. We are completing the delivery of the first lot of turrets and started as well a good cooperation with TAI Aerospace for the in-service support of the first systems.
Defence Turkey: Considering your long lasting cooperation with TAI within the scope of “Atak” program, how do you assess new cooperation opportunities on Integrated Logistics services?
Cooperation with TAI has demonstrated to be satisfactory for both parties and I believe it is a good example of how companies can join skills and capabilities creating added value for the customer. We are certainly looking to strengthen this cooperation in the future.
Defence Turkey: What is your approach on Turkish Land Programs with your land weapons?
There are some technologies in our hands that can provide benefit to the Turkish Armed Forces; such as our HITFACT 105/120mm turret and our 155mm “Vulcano” guided ammunition.
Defence Turkey: The sub-caliber guided projectile DART Smart Ammunition is characterized by aerodynamic surfaces which reduce drag and increase the projectile’s speed. Could you please elaborate a bit more with us about DART?
DART was a dream at the end of last century, when we started the development for the Italian Navy, and now is reality. DART is today in service and we are in full-scale production. This ammunition gives the 76/62 naval gun the opportunity to start a new era in the use of naval guns allowing for the effective engagement and killing of any maneuvering air or surface threat approaching the ship.
Defence Turkey: What are your activities in Turkey with your underwater systems?
Leonardo DSD doesn’t have any contractual activity on the Underwater Warfare sector, nevertheless it is investigating the possibility to share with the Turkish industry some advanced technology related to the New Lightweight Torpedo Black Arrow which is still under development.
Defence Turkey: Could you please inform us about your R&D programs and new technologies?
We are continuing the qualification campaign for the 127mm and 155mm “Vulcano” guided long-range ammunition. We foresee to complete the qualification by the end of next year and start full-scale production immediately after. The firing tests that we are performing in South Africa are giving fantastic results. We have demonstrated that the 127mm “Vulcano” naval ammunition can hit a target with metric precision at over 70Km, a result that no other ammunition has ever achieved before.
Stemming from the 127mm and 155mm “Vulcano” technology we are now developing the 76mm “Vulcano” ammunition. This will give the 76/62 gun the possibility to conduct naval gun fire support at over 20 nautical miles with metric precision, dramatically increasing the operational capability of any corvette or OPV equipped with a 76/62 gun.
After the successful introduction of Lithium-Polymer Batteries for the propulsion of the “Black Shark” Heavy-weight Torpedo, Leonardo DSD is continuing the R&D activities in order to extend the Li-Po technology to different applications in the military field (torpedoes, underwater vehicles, underwater sensors, unmanned surface vehicles with hybrid propulsion, etc.) as well as in the civilian one. The main effort in this sense is dedicated to the safety studies and relevant certifications.
SWAD is a new High-Speed unmanned / manned Surface Vessel developed for operations in littoral as well as in blue waters scenarios.
The vessel is armed (Hit Role 12.7 mm and/or mini-torpedo launchers) and has ballistic protection. Thanks to its modular design and to its transportability, SWAD can be quickly and easily re-configured for many different missions including Piracy Interdiction, Disaster management, Search and rescue and many others.
V-Fides is an innovative HAUV (Hybrid Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) having the capability to work both as ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) and as AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle). Thanks to its large Li-Po Battery and to the fiber-optic coil (derived from the Black Shark HWT), this vehicle has the unique capability of sending to the Control Station real time images, audio, video and sensors data even during navigation at great distance (50 Km or similar) from the mother vessel. V-Fides, therefore, is the ideal Underwater Vehicle for some specific missions like ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), Pipeline Exploration, bottom exploration at great distance, etc.
Defence Turkey: Lastly, are there any remarks that you would like to share with the readers of Defence Turkey Magazine?
SSM and Turkish Armed Forces have known OTO Melara and WASS (now Leonardo Defense Systems Division) for a very long time and together we have created, through the years, an environment based on trust and cooperation. We changed our name, but on the front-line we have the same people committed to deliver the best solution for one of our most important partners: Turkey.
Defence Turkey: Thank you very much.
