Leonardo announced on 27 February that the SW-4 Solo optionally piloted helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight with no safety pilot onboard. The aircraft flew for 45 minutes and all systems performed as expected.

Tests included, among others, remote engine start up and shut down with ground run, automatic take-off and landing, hovering OGE (Out of Ground Effect) and acceleration to forward flight, automatic waypoint navigation to and from the area of operation and simulation of a surveillance mission. The aircraft reached an altitude of 1500 ft and up to 60 knots airspeed during the flight.