Defense News ,Itlay :- The Italian government is asking for permission from the parliament to buy four high-tech drones called Leonardo Astore and two ground stations for the air force. These drones are an upgraded version of the well-known Falco EVO drone and are armed with special missiles.
Why is this purchase urgent? It's because Italy needs these drones to fill the gap until the MQ-9A Block 5 drones are ready in 2025. The Block 5 drones are expected to greatly improve the air force's abilities and will be armed with different types of missiles.
The Italian Air Force has just received the first of two ordered MQ-9A Block 5 drones and plans to upgrade five existing MQ-9A Block 1 drones to have the same features. This upgrade will make the drones more powerful and aligned with Italy's defense plans for the future.
Let's talk about the Astore drone. It has a maximum takeoff weight similar to the Falco, which is 650 kg. The new drone has two beams under its wings, allowing it to carry a payload of up to 70 kg. The Astore drone can fly for 16 hours and cover a distance of over 200 km, making it a versatile tool for the Italian military.
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