Leonardo, Daedalean Complete Flight Testing of AI Capabilities for Advanced Navigation in Rotorcraft Sector
Daedalean, a developer of safety-critical and certifiable artificial intelligence (AI) systems for situational awareness and flight control, announced this week the completion of flight testing of Daedalean’s visual awareness system produced by Leonardo, reports a press release.
Leonardo, a leader in aerospace, defence and security, is committed to developing and adopting new technologies for the impending green aviation revolution. The release explains, “The Leonardo Labs serve as technology hubs, connecting emerging talent from leading universities with Leonardo’s veteran experts to drive innovation and identify practical applications.” This includes research in areas from materials and quantum technologies to sustainability and applied AI.
Mattia Cavanna, Head of Technology and Innovation at Leonardo Helicopters, commented, ”We are working to integrate AI into products and services via both in-house and outside cooperations. By collaborating with emerging companies on predefined use cases, we keep maturing our technology roadmaps towards a safer, affordable and sustainable flight experience.”
He continued, ”Improving situational awareness through the system like Daedalean’s could contribute to further prevent aviation accidents and progressively enable higher degrees of autonomy to our platform.”

Dr. Luuk van Dijk
Situational Intelligence refers to the ability of understanding and making sense of the environment and situation, while anticipating and reacting to potential threats. This visual awareness system employs a form of AI called machine learning, which employs improved computer power to carry out more quickly and effectively what before could only be done by people.
Dr. Luuk van Dijk, CEO of Daedalean, remarked, “Our company is proud to bring our experience of creating machine-learned algorithms for aviation to such a prominent global player. It shows there is increasing interest in and understanding of the benefits machine-learning can bring today to increase flight safety.”
The release continues, “Under a Eureka Eurostars grant, the two companies collaborated on a year-long project, equipping Leonardo helicopters with Daedalean’s system, comprised of aircraft-mounted cameras, computer, and interface display, capable of identifying aerial traffic including birds and drones, determining location in GPS-denied environments, and offering landing guidance.”
Testing took place at Leonardo’s PZL-Swidnik facility in Lublin, Poland, from last July to September with Leonardo’s SW4 and SW4 Solo RUAS/OPH helicopters.
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Daedalean has conducted joint research with regulatory agencies including the FAA and EASA, to prove its AI-based system is certifiable to their stringent safety standards.
Dr van Dijk, continued, “Daedalean published multiple studies with regulators to evidence the fact that our machine-learned algorithms are capable of providing functions meeting and exceeding human capabilities. As flyers and passengers become more familiar with AI-enabled systems, a future with autonomous flight becomes more attractive for the higher safety, lower cost and increased capacity it will deliver.”
Background
Founded in 2016, Daedalean is building machine-learning-based avionics systems for present civil aircraft as well as future advanced aerial mobility. The company has offices in Switzerland, the EU and U.S. The team of over 150 people includes 17 PhDs and 18 pilots.
For more information
https://helicopters.leonardo.com/en/home
(Top image: Leonardo)