FIAR
| Industry | Avionics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1941 |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Successor | Leonardo S.p.A. |
| Headquarters |
FIAR S.p.A. (Fabbrica Italiana Apparecchiature Radioelettriche) was an Italian company specializing in avionics and radar technology; its innovations are incorporated in the radar system of the Eurofighter.
History
Established on 31 July 1941 as a spin-off from Compagnia Generale di Elettricità (CGE), the firm was also referred to as CGE-FIAR. Initially, it produced repeater transmitters for Italy’s national broadcaster, RAI (Radiotelevisione italiana).
During the 1980s, FIAR partnered with SMA (Stato maggiore dell'Aeronautica Militare) to form the ELIRADAR consortium. It served as a principal contractor for avionics equipment on the Panavia Tornado, with Italy holding a 15% stake in the Panavia Aircraft consortium and planning to acquire 100 Tornado aircraft.
Prior to the late 1980s, FIAR’s radar production was limited to licensed manufacturing. The company’s inaugural independently developed radar was the Grifo model. FIAR became Italy’s foremost producer of radar and infrared homing systems, notably contributing technology for the MIM-23 Hawk missile system. Their portfolio included airborne radars and precision approach radar solutions.
Ownership
Initially part of Alenia Aeronautica (known as Alenia Difesa between 1994 and 2001), FIAR was subsequently acquired by Finmeccanica.
Radar systems
- CRESO – ground surveillance radar
- ECR-90 (Euroradar CAPTOR) – radar for the Eurofighter, incorporating Grifo technology
- ELIRADAR APS-784 – installed on the AgustaWestland AW101
- EuroFIRST PIRATE (Passive Infrared Airborne Tracking Equipment) – infrared tracking system for the Eurofighter
- Grifetto
- Grifo – an X band radar
- Pointer
- Setter – a look-down radar system named after the dog breed
Structure
The company was based in Lombardy, located in the northwest region of Italy, with its manufacturing facility situated in Baranzate, close to Bollate along the SP 233.
See also
- Microtecnica, a former Italian avionics manufacturer
References
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hatnote templates targeting a nonexistent page
- Italian companies established in 1941
- Italian companies disestablished in 2003
- Aircraft component manufacturers of Italy
- Alenia Aeronautica
- Companies based in Lombardy
- Defunct manufacturing companies of Italy
- Electronics companies established in 1941
- Electronics companies disestablished in 2003
- Radar manufacturers
- Electronics companies of Italy