The “Michelangelo Dome” is designed to provide protection for vital infrastructure in important sensitive areas by connecting various platforms and equipment in space, air, land, and sea together.
This system aims to detect, track, intercept, and neutralize aerial threats, such as ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and drones, before they can cause any damage.
Reuters reported that this dome will operate in a similar mechanism to the Israeli Iron Dome system, which began operating in 2011.
Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, explained during a presentation in Rome on Thursday that the state-owned company will form a working group consisting of employees from the company itself and the Italian Armed Forces.
The company’s CEO expected the dome to begin full operations from 2028.
Bloomberg reported that the dome, named after Renaissance artist Michelangelo, will integrate a range of sensors and use artificial intelligence to predict targets, in order to help defenses locate and stop threats.
This announcement comes after Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called for solutions to address the threats of “hybrid warfare,” especially those targeting energy infrastructure and airports.
