Leonardo has been awarded a contract by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd to provide airborne communications systems, cockpit control panels and associated electronics for installation on-board Pilatus PC-21 single-engine turboprop trainers being supplied to the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire). The Pilatus PC-21 were ordered by the Spanish Ministry of Defense through its Armament and Material Directorate (DGAM) to replace the Spanish Air Force’s Casa C-101 jet trainers, which have been in-use since 1980.
Prestigious air forces around the world have chosen the cost-effective, highly efficient training platform created by Pilatus. They are the proof that the PC-21 is the training system of the future. Since 2006, Pilatus has already sold 235 PC-21s to nine air forces – including Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, France and Australia. The Spanish Air Force is the third European air force to choose the PC-21 Next Generation Trainer.
Leonardo’s multiband V/UHF RT-700/A communications system is a compact and lightweight military ETSO (European Technical Standard Order)-certified product. It provides voice and data communications in the 30-470MHz range and can transmit and receive securely when connected to an external encryption unit. Notably, the product provides ETSO-certified communications in the VHF ATC band (25/8,33kHz). Leonardo is an expert in airborne electronics and communications and deeply understands the needs of both OEMs and end-users, as an aircraft designer and manufacturer itself and having worked closely with a wide range of other leading international aircraft providers for more than 50 years.
