Leonardo upgrades AW249 Attack Helicopter with multi-missile integration and loitering munition capability.

On June 17, 2025, at the Paris Air Show, Leonardo presented its AW249 attack helicopter equipped with a diverse array of missile systems, including the Thales/MBDA FZ275 laser-guided rocket, MBDA Akeron LP, and MBDA Brimstone, as reported by our defense desk. This display reinforced the helicopter’s position as a next-generation combat platform designed for high-intensity missions and modern battlefield requirements. Italy aims to position the AW249 as a European answer to evolving NATO and expeditionary demands. The configuration presented showcased Leonardo’s ambition to integrate modular, high-precision firepower into a fully networked aerial asset.
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Leonardo’s AW249 now emerges as a helicopter platform not only capable of integrating a wide range of advanced missile systems from Europe’s top missile manufacturers but also one that redefines lethality and adaptability in modern air-ground operations. With the addition of loitering munitions to its arsenal, it pushes the boundaries of what an attack helicopter can deliver (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The AW249 is a new-generation combat helicopter developed to replace the Italian Army’s aging AW129 Mangusta fleet. Unlike its predecessor, the AW249 is a clean-sheet design with a maximum take-off weight of 8.3 tons and a mission payload capacity of up to 2.8 tons. It is powered by two General Electric CT7-8E6 turboshaft engines producing approximately 2,500 shaft horsepower each, ensuring high-altitude and hot-weather performance. Its avionics suite includes large-area multifunction displays, integrated helmet-mounted displays, and a sophisticated mission computer enabling advanced data fusion and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities. The helicopter is also fitted with state-of-the-art survivability systems, including infrared suppressors, radar warning receivers, laser threat detectors, and a fully integrated defensive aids suite. Its airframe incorporates crashworthy structures and stealth features, enhancing its survivability in contested environments.

The development of the AW249 began following a €487 million contract awarded by the Italian Ministry of Defence in January 2017, with the objective of fielding a more capable and survivable attack helicopter. The aircraft conducted its maiden flight in August 2022, and four prototypes have since been built, two of which are actively engaged in weapons integration and mission system testing. By 2028, Italy plans to induct at least 48 units, with 17 already under contract as part of a €735 million package covering both production and long-term support. Initial trials and evaluations have included simulated combat operations during the “Stella Alpina 2024” military exercise, confirming the platform’s agility and integration readiness with NATO assets.

The integration of the Thales/MBDA FZ275, a 70mm laser-guided rocket co-developed by Thales Belgium and MBDA; the Akeron LP, a long-range precision-guided missile produced by MBDA France; and the Brimstone, a radar- and laser-guided strike missile developed by MBDA UK, positions the AW249 among the most adaptable and heavily armed helicopters in its class. The FZ275 offers lightweight, close-support strike capability with reduced collateral damage. The Akeron LP provides multi-target engagement, including anti-armor and fortified positions, and features both fire-and-forget and man-in-the-loop options. The Brimstone missile excels at high-speed engagements of moving armored targets and is known for its precision and low risk of collateral effects. In addition to these munitions, Leonardo also showcased a loitering munition system next to the missile suite, indicating its intention to integrate this emerging weapon class into the AW249’s loadout. These loitering munitions, though not officially named, appear designed to fit within the tubular launchers mounted on the helicopter and would offer long-endurance surveillance and precision strike options, further expanding the AW249’s capability set.

This combination gives the AW249 a clear advantage over legacy platforms such as the AH-1Z Viper and the T129 ATAK, which typically rely on less modular and less diversified missile suites like the AGM-114 Hellfire or Roketsan’s UMTAS. The ability to combine guided rockets, precision missiles, and loitering munitions within a single operational platform allows the AW249 to tailor its configuration to a wide range of threat environments, mission types, and tactical doctrines. The strategic implications are considerable: the AW249 strengthens Italy’s autonomous high-intensity combat capability and reinforces NATO’s collective defense with a survivable, flexible, and interoperable platform. Its compatibility with NATO-standard munitions and emphasis on digital combat systems embody the shift toward network-centric warfare, manned-unmanned teaming, and joint operational interoperability. Leonardo’s broader industrial partnerships within Europe, particularly with MBDA and Thales, further position the AW249 as a focal point for collaborative armament development.

Leonardo’s AW249 now emerges as a helicopter platform not only capable of integrating a wide range of advanced missile systems from Europe’s top missile manufacturers but also one that redefines lethality and adaptability in modern air-ground operations. With the addition of loitering munitions to its arsenal, it pushes the boundaries of what an attack helicopter can deliver. As the only European-built helicopter of its class in active development, it offers allied nations a strategic and interoperable alternative at a time when demand for precision, survivability, and modularity has never been higher.