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Innovation & Technology
The Finmeccanica Group is a front-runner in the development of innovative technology. Its competitiveness is related to the group’s ability to quickly design and deliver these technologies, products, and services to its customers. The Group also employees a significant amount of engineers, which further enhances its ability to provide unique product designs and services. Realizing the importance that innovation plays in its growth and sustainability, Finmeccanica invests 12% of its annual revenues in research and development.
Each year, the Group hosts the International Innovation Awards, a competition designed to stimulate talent among our group employees and perpetuate their creativity and ingenuity. Over the past two years alone, 15% of the total proposals submitted under the Innovation Award Competition have generated a patent application. But innovation is not only a driving force that comes from within our group; it also involves customers, partners, academies and research centers.
Such a talented pool of resources has allowed the Group to develop great areas of excellence.
In aeronautics, Finmeccanica is paving the way with its uniquely constructed composites, which have had important design applications for commercial aircraft including Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Alenia Aermacchi North America’s T-100 Integrated Training System is the most advanced and highest performing 4th and 5th generation flying training system in the world. It is the ideal system to replace the U.S. Air Force’s current fleet of aging T-38 advanced jet trainers. Finmeccanica’s group companies provide groundbreaking systems technology in disaster management, maritime and ground traffic management, and for broadband and transportation communications.
The environment is an important factor in Finmeccanica’s design and innovation process. Every day, steps are taken to pioneer new technologies that are renewable and environmentally responsible. AgustaWestland is part of the European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative, as co-leader of the Green Rotorcraft Integrated Technology Demonstration, which is researching external noise reduction technologies, cleaner and more efficient use of power, as well as environmentally friendly flight paths. In addition, the Group is developing wind turbine electronics, regional jets with greater fuel efficiency, and environmentally-friendly high-speed rail systems. Several systems are produced that help address environmental issues such as sustainable mobility, traffic management, and environmental surveillance. Also, Finmeccanica recently implemented an energy efficiency program across the company, designed to reduce energy used in facilities. And every year, an Energy Day is hosted that focuses on improving energy efficiency in the aerospace and defense sectors.
The Finmeccanica Group is committed to creating innovative products and advancing existing technology to best meet its customers’ mission requirements.
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