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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
In Ukraine, testing of individual elements continues, but which ones exactly is not being disclosed. Collage by UNIAN, screenshot illustration Leonardo The Italian "Michelangelo Dome" can simultaneously combine various air defense and anti-missile defense tools for more effective management during the repelling of air threats. Which exact means will be connected to this system will determine its capabilities for destroying enemy air targets. About this, in a comment to UNIAN, aviation expert and leading research fellow at the State Aviation Museum Valeriy Romanenko said.
Specifically, according to him, the innovative anti-missile defense system, the "Michelangelo Dome," developed by the Italian company Leonardo, is to be universal and to combine anti-missile, anti-air, and counter-drone defenses. Overall system management is expected to involve artificial intelligence. The system is new and has not yet undergone testing. Now they plan to test it in Ukraine for effectiveness.
"Michelangelo Dome" will manage different air defense systems
"The Michelangelo Dome" is a control complex, not a destroyer. It is what we would call an automated air defense command system," emphasized Romanenko.
This concerns managing those systems that Ukraine already has in service. Accordingly, to the "Michelangelo Dome" one can connect systems such as SAMP/T or Patriot and control them during repelling enemy attacks.
The system is capable of detecting threats and performing assigned tasks.
"That is, if it is given appropriate radars, it will be capable of detecting threats. If appropriate anti-air, anti-mactical missile, or counter-drone complexes are connected, it will perform the corresponding tasks. Its task is to manage the entire defense system against air and space attack means. And the exact executive tools it will receive will determine which functions it can perform," emphasized Romanenko.
In this regard, the expert clarified that one should not think that this system will itself destroy air targets. That's not the case.
The ability to destroy something will depend on the armament that is connected to this system.
AI will help choose tools to repel various threats
"This system includes counter-drone defense, conventional anti-air systems that operate against cruise missiles, helicopters, and aircraft, as well as tools against operational-tactical, air- ballistic, and anti-ship missiles such as Iskander-M, Kinzhal, and Zircon. It also includes a subsystem that operates against medium-range ballistic missiles, such as, for example, Oreshnik. In other words, it is a system of systems that unites several directions under a common management with the use of artificial intelligence," noted Romanenko.
Therefore, as the expert explained, depending on what threats arise, the system will choose the appropriate means to repel them. In particular, if we are talking about cruise missiles, ordinary air defense missiles from complexes such as IRIS-T, NASAMS, or others may be used for interception.
The logic will be to destroy threats with cheaper and most suitable means for this. The same goes for drones — anti-drone means will be used against them.
To the Michelangelo Dome they will be able to connect Patriot, SAMP/T, and aviation.
As the expert noted, other systems developed by European companies can also be connected to the Michelangelo Dome, in particular Thales.
According to him, the SAMP/T air defense system is planned to be integrated into this system. Connecting the Patriot system is also possible.
"Accordingly, cooperation with even strike aircraft, which will also be involved in this system, is possible. If we are talking about fifth- or sixth-generation fighters, then target designation and overall management will also be provided by this system," added Romanenko.
"Michelangelo Dome" can enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities
At the same time, he noted that this is currently a pan-European system. In Ukraine, testing of individual elements continues, but which ones exactly is not disclosed.
"In my assessment and the assessments of other experts, currently possibilities of repelling drone attacks are being studied. Recently, their repulsion effectiveness has fallen quite sharply due to the use of reactive drones, against which essentially two components of our air defense—helicopters and anti-air drones—have fallen out," stated Romanenko.
He suggested that possibilities for repelling current missile attacks using missiles such as Iskander, Zircon, and S-400 may also be studied.
"Perhaps that as well, but officially it is not announced which exact system is undergoing testing in Ukraine. At the same time, everything must proceed at a high tempo, because Europe plans to deploy it by 2030 year," remarked the aviation expert.
The expert also explained that the Michelangelo Dome is, in the long term, designed to defend Europe as a continent, not just one or several cities.
"It is intended to defend Europe. Somewhere the Thales system will work, somewhere the Leonardo system, but they will be able to exchange information or transfer control functions of certain means from one system to another," said Romanenko.
Testing of the system
As UNIAN reported, Ukraine plans to conduct testing of separate components of the integrated air and anti-missile defense system, the "Michelangelo Dome." This system will have a range of sensors and defeat means of various types, which are linked into a single system together with artificial intelligence elements and cybersecurity systems. This system will be able to independently detect threats and determine the best means of countering.
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