Piaggio P.180 Avanti

The Piaggio P.180 Avanti was developed as an executive transport that unusually mounted its turboprop engines backwards to push the aircraft. This configuration allows the Avanti to fly faster than most other executive turboprop transports in addition to some jet powered ones too whilst being much more cost efficient. The Avanti first flew in 1986 and is still in production today with over 250 built. The Avanti has enjoyed limited military success and a specialised Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) version has been developed called the Hammerhead – named after the shark as a nod to the canards fitted to the Avanti’s nose.

The Avanti is used by nearly all of the military and federal organisations of Italy as a VIP transport and utility aircraft. The Italian air force also had a program to acquire the Hammerhead however this was paused in 2018.

The 28° Gruppo of the Italian Army will be visiting RIAT 2024 in support of their arms activities at the show. It is not anticipated that the aircraft will remain for the weekend or appear on static display.