Hynaero and Leonardo Explore Fregate-F100 Aerostructure Cooperation

Hynaero announced on October 23, 2026, that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Leonardo to explore potential cooperation on major aerostructural components for the Fregate-F100. The memorandum outlines possible collaboration; it does not establish a finalized production agreement.

Key details

• The Fregate-F100 is a planned amphibious firefighting aircraft developed by Hynaero, with a proposed 10-tonne water payload.
• Potential areas of cooperation include structure design and manufacture, engineering, testing, certification, industrialization, maintenance, and system design and manufacture. The parties have described these as areas to explore.
• Hynaero's published schedule targets a first test flight in 2030 and entry into service or launch in 2031.
• Hynaero says concept validation took place in 2025 with support from European institutional and industry partners.
• Reported project specifications include a cruise speed of 250 knots, more than four hours of firefighting endurance at 250 km from base, and a ferry range of up to 2,500 km. These are design figures, not demonstrated performance results.

Hynaero plans a 10-tonne water payload for the Fregate-F100.

Why it matters

Leonardo's potential involvement could cover engineering and industrial work as well as aircraft structures, giving Hynaero a prospective partner across several parts of the Fregate-F100's development. The aircraft's proposed water payload and firefighting role place it in the specialized amphibious aircraft segment.

What happens next

Hynaero's published development schedule points toward a first test flight in 2030, followed by a planned 2031 service entry or launch. Which part of the Fregate-F100 program would you most like to see advance next?