LBA Systems unveils carrier-capable UCAV Astore Levante at Farnborough, first batch to Italian customer by end-2026

Published Jul 24, 07:04 AM UTC

At the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, the newly formed Leonardo-Baykar joint venture LBA Systems unveiled its first product, the Astore Levante. This carrier-capable UCAV is based on Baykar's Bayraktar TB3, which is already operational with the Turkish Navy aboard TCG Anadolu and has demonstrated combat capability during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise. The Astore Levante is equipped with a range of Leonardo mission systems, including the LEOSS-T targeting turret, Gabbiano T-80UL radar, Osprey AESA radar, SAGE ESM/ELINT suite, and Brite Storm jammer, as well as an anti-submarine warfare acoustic system. The first batch is in production in Italy and expected to be delivered to an Italian end-user (likely the Italian Navy) by the end of 2026. The aircraft is aimed at the European naval unmanned aviation market, offering a modular multi-mission platform for surveillance, targeting, electronic warfare, and ASW roles.