NDC Commandant, LGEN Olivier Rittimann, and Course Members were welcomed by MGEN Mauro Lunardi, Commander of the Air Base at Pratica di Mare before starting an instructive visit to the Flight Test Centre of the Italian Air Force, the 14th Wing and the Joint Satellite Remote Sensing Centre.
COL Igor Bruni, Flight Test Wing (Reparto Sperimentale di Volo – RSV) Commander, explained the key role of the Wing and its growing importance since its foundation in 1928. From research, development and the testing of prototypes in former years, it now deals with systems engineering, software development, operational testing and evaluation, certification, with the aim of generating new operational capabilities. The visit to the different laboratories offered the chance to better understand some of the applications and working methodology, such as the V-model applicable to software design and implementation.
The visit to RSV included a closer look at the flight line with a number of ITAF airplanes on show, including the Eurofighter EF-2000, the T-346, the T-339, and the C27J.
COL Federico Merola gave a presentation on the Wing’s activities, ranging from bio-containment to Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and from battlefield management to air evacuation, etc. A further presentation addressed the Conformal AEW (CAEW) air asset contribution to 5th generation warfare and Command and Control (C2).
The visit to Pratica di Mare Air Base ended with a presentation from COL Gianluigi Attingenti, Director of the Joint Satellite Remote Sensing Centre(CITS) on satellite remote sensing capabilities and data exploitation applications.
The visit was a unique opportunity to better comprehend some tactical high-tech applications in the aeronautics and airspace fields after the panel discussion on innovation, held at the NDC on 30 September.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by COL Alessandro Concari, ITA F)
NATO Defense College