Comms, Combat Management, IFF and Weapon Systems
Several Leonardo naval systems, including its combat management system (CMS), KRONOS MFRA radar, Mode-5 IFF and communications systems have been trialled as part of ‘Formidable Shield,’ NATO’s main air defence and ant-missile exercise, the company announced on 14 June.
Exercise scenarios saw live and simulated engagements against subsonic, supersonic and ballistic missiles, with vessels, aircraft and ground vehicles from ten nations testing information exchange and interoperability capabilities as part of a simulated coalition-level response. A number of Leonardo technologies were on-board the Italian Navy’s FREMM-class frigate ANTONIO MARCEGLIA, including the KRONOS Multi-Function Radar Active (MFRA) 3D radar, capable of locating, classifying and tracking targets within a 250km radius. KRONOS located ballistic missiles in flight as they reached speeds of over 1,800m/s and accelerated at 6+G, tracking the missiles over 200km.
The frigate also made use of its Multi Data Link Processor (MDLP-EVO) communication system to exchange tactical data, while its Mode-5 IFF helped distinguish between allies and potential threats. The CMS, the ship’s brain, coordinated the frigate’s air defence and anti-missile operations, processing data from multiple sensors and presenting a real-time tactical picture to the crew and other units, supporting decisions and interventions at a coalition level.
Leonardo weapon systems also saw ‘action’ during the trial, including the SUPER RAPIDO naval gun with 76mm DART guided ammunition, which demonstrated the ability to prosecute even the most sophisticated threats. Meanwhile, the ASTER 30 missile from MBDA, in which Leonardo holds a 25% stake, proved its ability to intercept incoming missiles.
Leonardo’s naval solutions have equipped over 100 naval vessels in more than 40 navies in the last half-century. Its portfolio includes combat systems, naval combat management and communications, radar, fire control systems, electro optics, navigation, remotely piloted aircraft, various calibre naval guns, missiles, torpedoes, sonar, EW suite and, of course, helicopters.
