Taking off Solo

The Leonardo SW-4 Solo during its recent initial autonomous flight at Taranto-Grottaglie, Italy.
Leonardo

The Leonardo SW-4 Solo conducted its initial autonomous flight on February 27 at Taranto- Grottaglie Airport, Italy. Following remote engine start-up on the ground, the helicopter undertook an automatic take-off. A 45-minute flight followed to evaluate controllability and handling. Tests included hovering out of ground effect, acceleration to forward flight, automatic waypoint navigation to and from the operating area and a simulated surveillance mission before the Solo conducted an automated landing and a remote engine shutdown.

The SW-4 Solo, jointly developed by Leonardo and PZL-Świdnik teams in Cascina Costa, Italy and Świdnik, Poland, is based on the PZL SW-4 light helicopter. It has been designed as an optionally piloted helicopter (OPH), convertible from rotary unmanned air system (RUAS) to OPH configuration for manned activities. Conversion from RUAS to OPH, or vice versa, can be achieved in less than one hour, Leonardo says.

Testing as an OPH with a pilot on board began at Taranto-Grottaglie in December 2016. These tests, combined with various trials in Poland, have verified the aircraft’s characteristics and validate flight procedures in normal and emergency conditions.

In RUAS configuration, the Solo has an 1,800kg (3,968lb) maximum take-off weight, a maximum payload of 470kg (1,036lb), six hours’ endurance and 507 nautical miles (940km) range. The type is designed for roles in both military and civil domains including maritime and battlefield intelligence, border control, law enforcement, environmental monitoring, survey and battle damage assessment. When configured as an OPH, the Solo will additionally be capable of passenger transport and cargo/ logistics supply.