Leonardo Helicopters AW249

AW249 project

Italsystem Collaborates with Leonardo on the Development of the Aw249 Fenice, Heir to the Legendary AW129 Mangusta

The AW249 helicopter is the result of close collaboration between the Italian Ministry of Defence and Leonardo. Designated AH-249A NEES – New Exploration and Escort Helicopter – ‘Fenice’, it is the only newly designed Western combat helicopter, being developed to meet new and rigorous operational requirements for the next 30 years and beyond. It benefits from capabilities and technologies currently unavailable anywhere else in the world, proving uniquely to be an ideal bridge towards the gradual evolution of the military rotary wing.

In response to a rapidly evolving scenario, the AW249 features a fully open architecture with significant potential for further systemic growth and adaptability to meet important market requirements. In addition to high performance (speed, range, power and load margins, high and hot conditions, unmatched manoeuvrability and very low altitude flight), among the core capabilities of the AW249 there is also the possibility of being fully integrated and interoperable in a modern multi-domain context (air-land-sea-space-cyber).

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High performance

Unmatched speed, range, power and load margins, high-temperature and high-altitude conditions, maneuverability and very low-altitude flight

Fully integrated and interoperable

Among the core capabilities of the AW249 is also the possibility of being fully integrated and interoperable in a modern multi-domain context (air-land-sea-space-cyber)

Advanced cockpit interface

The AW249 features an advanced cockpit interface with a large digital display (LAD:Large Area Display) and touch screen capability (EDCU: Enhanced Display Control Unit) and gesture recognition available for the two tandem seats and a highly sophisticated Battle Management System developed by Leonardo.

Display and modern helmet

Displays and a modern pilot helmet allow the crew to quickly access critical flight, navigation and mission information provided by multiple sensors and advanced connectivity.

Italsystem Contributions to the AW249 Project

Italsystem contributes to all phases of the EDCU, LAD and AMMC systems development project, from requirements analysis to software development and design model validation, from analysis to preparation and execution of tests based on Leonardo requirements.

The EDCU is a display for the management of the main flight functions, while the LAD is characterized as a unique, large-surface, multifunctional color display for accessing functions and controls. Both have touch-screen functionality. The AMMC is, finally, a powerful processing and management system for all critical flight information. The qualification level for the LAD subsystem SW is DAL A, while for AMMC and EDCU it is DAL B (in accordance with the applicable DO-178C regulation).

Thanks to an in-depth knowledge of Aviation, regulatory constraints and a solid engineering background, Italsystem is proud to contribute to the AW249 project and to support its development for the following activities:

SW and V&V Development

System requirements analysis for writing SRS requirements;
Full-service verification and validation for on-board systems;
Independent Verification and Validation (MIL, HIL, SIL and PIL);
Design and development of real-time on-board software;
Maintenance and updates of customized tools;
Critical analysis and trouble shooting;

Avionics Certification Support

Support in all phases of DO-178C certification:

Implementation of artifacts required for DO-178C certification for single-core and multi-core platforms;
Choosing the best approach for the software development cycle;
Employee training for DO-178C certification

SW and V&V Development

Requirements Analysis, Verification and Validation, Design and Development

Avionics Certification Support

Implementation of artifacts required for DO-178C certification for single-core and multi-core platforms;
Choosing the best approach for the software development cycle;
Employee training for DO-178C certification