Leonardo has highlighted the abilities of its radar and command-and-control systems as demonstrated by an Italian Navy frigate on a recent NATO exercise.
As per a recent press statement, the firm’s SADOC 4 C2 system and Dual Band Radar were successfully used in an Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) at-sea demonstration that formed part of Exercise Formidable Shield 25.
During the demonstration, held during May in the North Sea off the north-west coast of Scotland, Italian multipurpose frigate ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere used the Leonardo systems to detect and track ballistic, aerial and surface threats, including drones and supersonic missiles.
The frigate, part of the OCCAR-managed PPA programme, is one of the most modern and advanced vessels in the Italian Navy. As well as the sensor suites mentioned above, she is armed with Aster 15 and 30 missiles, 76mm and 127mm cannons, and a full sonar suite for anti-submarine warfare.
Her Dual Band Radar suite is designed to simultaneously conduct surveillance, track targets, guide missiles, and provide fire support, integrating all functions with the SADOC 4 C2 system.
As per the firm’s statement: “The onboard radar suite detected and tracked a short-range ballistic target while maintaining tracking and disseminating the track to the point of impact at sea.
“The ship also acted as a Forward Observer, independently identifying medium-range ballistic missiles launched from both land and sea, and sharing data in real time via tactical links.
“Leonardo’s Dual Band Radar stood out for its ability to initialise tracking within seconds of launch and accurately track ballistic missiles for hundreds of kilometres, even at supersonic speeds.”
It added: “The Italian Navy was recognised as having one of the highest levels of IAMD capability in the world, thanks to the capabilities of its sensors and the ability of SADOC 4 to operate and exchange data with the systems of the most technologically advanced units in the world.”
Formidable Shield 25 is the largest live-fire naval exercise in the Euro-Atlantic area specifically focused on IAMD. After concluding its FS25 activities, the Italian warship then participated in another wide-ranging NATO maritime exercise, Exercise Polaris 25, itself one of the most complex naval and air exercises in Europe.
The French-Navy-led Exercise Polaris 25 ran from late May to mid-June and involved more than 20 ships and submarines and 40-plus aircraft.
- You can read more details on the Leonardo website and the Italian Navy website