Leonardo is taking part in Wings Over Wairarapa (Hood, Aerodrome, Masterton, Nov. 24 to 26, 2023), a major air festival event in New Zealand, and will exhibit technologies, products and systems for aerospace, defence, and security markets.
In addition, the company will be showcasing the very best in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities to engage with local schools, young children, and families at this year’s event.
The company is looking to inspire the next-generation of New Zealanders into engineering careers by highlighting how STEM subjects can provide key life skills that can be transferred into a manufacturing or engineering career.
Visitors to the company’s stand will be encouraged to participate in fun aerospace activities using their communication skills, team work, and problem-solving abilities.
The company is showcasing a model of its AW159 Wildcat at the event which Leonardo is offering to the NZDF as a solution for its maritime helicopter replacement program.
The AW159 Wildcat has been proven in service with Navies around the world to be capable of meeting and exceeding the demanding environmental and performance requirements of the RNZN.
With its design from the outset being targeted at single-spot combatant operations in challenging maritime environments, the AW159 is the right platform for RNZN, being able to operate across the full range of aviation missions undertaken by the RNZN. Equally adept at multi-spot operations, the AW159, or Wildcat, as it is known to the British Armed Forces, is an operationally capable and cost-effective multi-role platform, able to go beyond the limits of any other embarked aircraft.
It has the U.K. Government as its significant reference customer. There is a long, successful and well- established relationship between the Royal Navy and RNZN with ongoing, close collaboration, knowledge- sharing and interoperability.
The operation of the same platform brings the possibility of greater naval synergy, building upon and strengthening the existing ties and broadening and increasing the opportunities for knowledge sharing and mutual support. The AW159 delivers maximum capability for minimal impact to wider ship operations.
In recognition of the need to build resilience into the NZDF’s operations for the future, Leonardo is offering a New Zealand-based support solution for the helicopters and is working closely with a number of key domestic suppliers in the New Zealand defence market, including Beca and United Machinists.
Beca is one of Asia Pacific’s largest independent advisory, design and engineering consultancies and United Machinists, an ISO:9001 Accredited CNC machine shop providing precision machined components for aerospace, electronics, automotive, medical and marine applications.
Aaron Lewis, campaign director at Leonardo Helicopters, said: “Leonardo understands the important role New Zealand’s engineering sector can play on the world stage. By working closely with industry and local schools we are starting to see the innovations being undertaking in shaping New Zealand’s infrastructure, technology, and prosperity but most importantly its future skills. For example, our STEM activities are about showing young people the prospects of how their science, maths or even English studies can transfer into an engineering career.”
Brian Fearnley, business director major programmes at Beca, said: “As a New Zealand owned company, Beca is delighted to be partnering with Leonardo to provide a AW159 Wildcat training system and programme support. Like Leonardo, Beca recognises the value to New Zealand of local involvement in complex technical projects.”
