Falco
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2011
Total Production : 50
The Falco is a turboprop-powered, medium altitude, tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Galileo Avionica, a Finmeccanica's company, to meet the requirements of wide spectrum of customers for ground observation using advanced optronics and electronic surveillance. It was the first UAV system receiving the Italian Civil Aviation Authority Permission to Fly on 15 June 2005. As of July 2016, the Falco unmanned air vehicle has been ordered by five international customers with more than 50 air vehicles produced so far.
Model | Status | Year | Produced |
---|---|---|---|
Falco | Active | 2011 | ? |
Falco Evo | Active | 2016 | ? |
Falco Xplorer | Active | 2024 | ? |
Falco
Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Origin : Italy
Contractor : Leonardo
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2011
Total Production : ?
The Falco can achieve and sustain speeds to 40 meters per second (114 kph or 87 mph) carrying a payload of 70 kg with a flight endurance varying from 8 to 14 hours depending on payload weight. The payload options include FLIR sensor, CCD-TV, multisensor platform, and spotter of laser range finder. Some Falco's aircraft subsystems are redundant to enhance survivability in a malfunction/damage event. Take-off and landing operations can be done through a conventional airfield or using a ramp for short take-off.
Operators
Country | Status | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Active | ? | Operated by United Nations |
![]() | Active | ? | |
![]() | Active | ? |
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Crew | 0 | |
Mass | ||
Payload | 70 kilogram | |
Speed | ||
Cruise Speed | 40 mps | |
Time | ||
Flight Endurance | 14 hour |
Gear
Optronic Systems | ||
---|---|---|
EOST 45 | 1 |
Falco Evo
Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Origin : Italy
Contractor : Leonardo
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : July 2016
Total Production : ?
The Falco Evo is a further version of Falco unmanned air vehicle optimized for longer flight endurance of up to 20 hours and carrying an increased payload to 100kg. The air vehicle can fly at altitudes of 6,000 meters operating at ranges of more than 200 kilometers in the line of sight. The Falco Evo features longer wings and external tail boom. The greater payload allows for installation of Osprey radar, Gabbiano 20 multi-mode surveillance radar or PicoSAR AESA radar. Besides, the air vehicle can be equipped with the SAGE electronic warfare suite to geo-locate ground based radars. The Falco Evo has been ordered by two customers in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region. Existing Falco air vehicles can be upgraded to Evo configuration via retrofit packages.
Falco Xplorer
Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Origin : Italy
Contractor : Leonardo
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : November 2024
First Flight : January 17, 2020
Total Production : ?
The Leonardo Falco Xplorer is a remotely piloted unmanned aircraft system intended for use by both the civilian and military customers. The aircraft is the largest member of the Falco family with a payload capacity of 350 kg and can stay airborne for up to 24 hours. The aircraft is intended to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite including Gabbiano T-80 radar, LEOSS electro-optical sensors, SAGE electronic intelligence and automatic identification system (AIS). The Falco Xplorer unmanned aircraft system was introduced in June 2019 during the Paris Airshow. The maiden flight is expected in June 2019 and first delivery to an end customer is planned for 2020.
Operators
Country | Status | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Active | ? |
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Crew | 0 | |
Number of Engines | 1 | |
Mass | ||
Max Takeoff Weight | 1,300 kilogram | |
Payload | 350 kilogram | |
Time | ||
Flight Endurance | 24 hour |
Gear
ESM & Warning Systems | ||
---|---|---|
SAGE | 1 | |
Radar Systems | ||
Gabbiano | 1 |
News

The European Detect and Avoid System (EUDAAS) demonstrator, integrated into Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer, completed its final test flight at Trapani airport, validating advanced
The new Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS), the largest Leonardo has ever built, has successfully undergone its first test flight The Falco Xplorer offers persistent,
The latest addition to the successful Falco family of remotely-piloted air systems has a payload capacity of over 350kg and endurance in excess of 24 hours The Falco Xplorer
Under the service contract, the Leonardo Falco EVO will undertake up to 300 flight hours of maritime surveillance patrol across the Italian and Maltese civil airspace Leonardo,
The new configuration extends the flight envelope of the Falco EVO, benefits include extended range of operations The Falco family of Remotely-Piloted Air Systems (RPAS)
The Falco EVO Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS) has been selected by two customers in the Middle East and Gulf region.
The Falco family is Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s flagship series of unmanned air vehicles, in service with five international customers Falco EVO extends the baseline Falco’s

The final demonstration of the SMAT F1 project (advanced land monitoring system, phase 1) was conducted successfully on Friday 30 September with aircraft flying over Levaldigi
Photo Gallery
November 2024

Falco Xplorer unmanned aircraft
December 2008

Falco unmanned aerival vehicle
June 2007

Falco
December 2006

Falco UAV
Notes
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning
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