Leonardo Showcases Electronic Warfare, Fighter Trainer Expertise At Kuwait Aviation Show

Leonardo is exhibiting its mobile Electronic Warfare (EW) range capability service, which the company is offering to the Kuwaiti Air Force through its local in-country subsidiary, at the Kuwait Aviation Show, held from January 17-20.

The ‘EW Mobile Range’ will allow Kuwaiti pilots to test their aircraft against realistic representative threats in live exercises, using emitter equipment to simulate radio frequency (RF), InfraRed (IR) and laser threats. The service is appropriate for a number of aircraft types including Kuwait’s Apache helicopters, which are themselves equipped with Leonardo’s ‘HIDAS’ electronic warfare defensive suite. 

As well as providing EW systems themselves, Leonardo provides ongoing training and operational support to Kuwait. Members of the Kuwait Air Force have completed a six month training course at Leonardo’s UK-based Electronic Warfare Operational Support (EWOS) facility, transferring the essential knowledge and skills that will allow the Kuwait Air Force to get the most out of the HIDAS system. 

Visitors to Leonardo at the expo will also learn more about the Typhoon as well as about Leonardo’s M-346 trainer aircraft.

Kuwait recently strengthened ties with the company by ordering 28 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft, production of which is already underway. The models delivered will be the most advanced produced to date, incorporating the Leonardo-led Captor-E AESA radar and weapon systems including Storm Shadow, Brimstone, Meteor and Marte ER. A number of Kuwait Air Force pilots have earned their wings at the Italian Air Force M-346 Training Academy, using a Leonardo’s latest-generation training system.