Main image: a G550 CAEW. The EC-37B is externally quite similar to the CAEW (Image credit: David Cenciotti); in the left box: EC-37B (USAF); right: green G550 (Giovanni Maduli) Two “green” Gulfstreams will be equipped with the Compass Call mission system as part of the Joint Airborne Multi-Mission Multi-Sensor System program. Italy is about to …
Italian Air Force
Italy To Upgrade Its C-27J Spartan Tactical Airlifters
An Italian Air Force C-27J at Pisa airport. (Image credit: The Aviationist/Giovanni Maduli) The aircraft will receive an extensive upgrade to the avionic suite, onboard systems and self-protection suite. Leonardo and Armaereo, the Italian Defence Ministry’s Air Force Armament and Airworthiness Directorate, have signed a contract to begin the development activities for the upgrade of …
The Italian Air Force Celebrates 80th Anniversary of 103rd Gruppo With Special Colored AMX
The new special color that celebrates the 103rd Gruppo. (Image credit: Claudio Tramontin) The special color was the highlight of the celebrations at Istrana Air Base. On Feb. 15, 2023, the 51° Stormo (Wing) of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), celebrated the 80th anniversary of the 103° Gruppo (Squadron) at Istrana Air Base. The …
The Italian Air Force Dassault Falcon Fleet Reaches 150K Flight Hours
File photo of the Dassault Falcon 900EX of the 31° Stormo. In the photo there are two Falcon 900EX that are no longer in service with the Italian Air Force (image credit: ItAF) The Falcon fleet of the Aeronautica Militare has achieved the milestone during an emergency medical flight. In the afternoon of Feb. …
The Italian Air Force Has Retired Its MQ-1C Predator A+ RPAS
An Italian Air Force MQ-1C Predator A+. (All images: Italian Air Force, unless otherwise stated) The MQ-1C Predator A+ Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) has been retired after 18 years and +30,000 flight hours. On Dec. 19, 2022, with a transfer flight from the 61° Gruppo (Squadron) APR (Aeromobili a Pilotaggio Remoto – Remotely Piloted …
Global M-346 Fleet Reaches 100,000 Flight Hours
The Italian Air Force M-346 prepared with a special tail paint scheme to celebrate the 100,000 flight hours milestone. (Photo: Alessandro Maggia) Since 2015, 85 aircraft entered service in five countries and the fleet is set to expand with new aircraft already on order by new operators. The global fleet of Leonardo M-346 Advanced Jet …
How The Italian Media Treated The News Of The Deadly Eurofighter Crash Yesterday
File photo of two Eurofighters of the Italian Air Force. In the boxes, two examples of articles published by Italian media, with the fake news that the pilot was alive. An Italian Eurofighter Typhoon has crashed in Italy killing the pilot. For several hours, all the main news outlets spread the fake news that the …
IFTS: A Deep Dive Into The Joint Italian Air Force – Leonardo Training Centre
One of the Leonardo-owned M-346s of the International Flight Training School. (Photo: Leonardo) The IFTS will train up to 80 pilots per year using dedicated infrastructures, training ranges and reserved airspace. The International Flight Training School (IFTS) has become internationally renowned, throughout its four years of operations, as one of the most advanced and state-of-the-art …
Lessons Learned In Ukraine Helped Shape Falcon Strike 22, The 5th Gen-Centric ‘European Red Flag’
Italian F-35A and F-35B closely follow a C-130J during a photographic session for Falcon Strike 2022. (Photo: Alessandro Fucito) Designed for 5th gen fighter jets, Falcon Strike 2022 increased interoperability and cooperation to obtain the air dominance, taking also into account the lessons learned from the current situation in Ukraine. Exercise Falcon Strike 2002, held …
U.S. And Dutch F-35s Have Flown Without Radar Reflectors During First Week Of ‘Falcon Strike 2022’
U.S. Air Force F-35A landing at Amendola without RCS Enhancers (All photos: Stefano D’Urso/The Aviationist) Some of 5th gen. aircraft have operated in “full stealth mode” to train in the most realistic scenarios. As we already reported, F-35s from Italy, United States and the Netherlands are training together at Amendola Air Base, in southern Italy, …