Italian Defence: the Evolution of Anti-Drone Systems in the Armed Forces
In recent years, the increasing use of drones, both in the civil and military domains, has posed new challenges to national security. The Italian Armed Forces have recognised the need to develop and deploy effective systems to counter these unconventional aerial threats.
The Centre of Excellence Counter Mini/Micro Remotely Piloted Aircraft (C-M/M APR) in Sabaudia, established in 2019, has become the hub for research and development of anti-drone technologies. This centre deals with the training of operators and the testing of new technological solutions .
Anti-Drone Systems in Use
Drone Dome
The Drone Dome system, developed by the Israeli company Rafael, was acquired by the Italian Army in 2019. This system is designed to detect, track and neutralise hostile drones using a combination of radar, electro-optical sensors and jammers. It was successfully deployed in operational theatres such as Kosovo from 2020 to 2022 .
AD3S
The Anti Drone Detecting And Disabling System (AD3S) was developed in cooperation with Italian industries such as IDS, INTECS and CPM. This system offers an integrated solution for detecting and disabling drones, combining radar, electro-optical sensors and jammers to ensure effective protection.
ACUS Enhanced
Developed by Leonardo as part of the Forza NEC project, the ACUS Enhanced is an advanced system delivered to the Italian Army in 2024. This system integrates multi-spectral sensors and command and control capabilities to provide rapid and accurate response to drone threats .
KARMA
The KARMA (Kinetic Anti-drone Mobile Asset) system, developed by ELT Group, represents a new generation of anti-drone solutions. This modular and scalable system uses RF sensors to detect and identify drones, transmitting jamming signals to neutralise them. It is designed to be integrated on military and civil vehicles, offering flexible protection in various operational scenarios.
Operational Applications and Training
The Italian Armed Forces have deployed these systems in several operations both at home and abroad. During Operation Oryx in Qatar, the Air Force's C-UAS Task Force used the ACUS system to secure airspace during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In Italy, anti-drone systems were used to protect major events, such as the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Rome in 2019. On that occasion, the Italian Army deployed anti-drone assets to ensure the security of the areas concerned .
The C-M/M APR Centre of Excellence in Sabaudia continues to play a crucial role in training operators and testing new technologies. Through exercises such as 'Prometheus VIII', the centre tests new sensors and counter systems to deal with emerging drone threats.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
