The new AW249 in the air for the first operational exercise

One of the Italian Army's new AW249 exploration and escort helicopters participated for the first time in an operational exercise, Stella Alpina 2024, held on 18 September at Lake Fedaia (Trento, Italy). The rotorcraft is a pre-production model currently involved in AW249 programme development activities.

Features of digitalization, connectivity, integration of information from multiple sensors, information gathering and management superiority, and interoperability to be a force multiplier in multi-domain operations. The AW249, called FENICE, is based on these elements, the result of a close synergy between the Italian Ministry of Defense and Leonardo.

The new helicopter was integrated into the “Stella Alpina 2024” operation's assets within the tactical bubble, demonstrating its mission capabilities in multi-domain contexts that require, among other things, high interoperability and connectivity, including with remotely piloted systems, and cyber and electromagnetic protection.