ADJ
LEONARDO unveiled its next-generation Combat Management Systems (CMS), SADOC 5 and ATHENA L, at the ongoing EURONAVAL exhibition from November 3-6. The latter was developed through its subsidiary GEM Elettronica. With these solutions, the company is strengthening its portfolio in the naval Command and Control (C2) systems sector, leveraging the most advanced digital technologies to meet the operational requirements of modern maritime scenarios.
SADOC 5, which is also set to be installed on the Italian Navy’s future DDX destroyers, is positioned as the new national benchmark for next-generation Command and Control systems. Its key innovations include a microservice-based architecture designed to ensure flexibility, scalability and high operational performance. Through the integration of advanced Artificial Intelligence solutions, the system is designed to support the countering of emerging threats, including drones, ballistic and hypersonic threats, while enhancing analytical capabilities and accelerating decision-making processes.
In integrated air defence scenarios, SADOC 5 is specifically designed to optimize performance and reduce the reaction times of the Combat System, promoting interoperability and the coordination of operational capabilities in a multi-domain environment, also with a view to an integrated system-of-systems architecture such as Michelangelo Dome.
In parallel, through GEM Elettronica, Leonardo has developed the ATHENA L CMS for naval platforms requiring a Light Combat System, with levels of complexity and interoperability tailored to specific operational requirements. The system enables the processing and visualization of an integrated tactical picture, supporting operators throughout all phases of the mission. It also incorporates a navigation suite featuring certified cartography, radar and navigation sensors, helping to enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness.
With these new solutions, Leonardo is expanding and diversifying its naval C2 portfolio, offering modular and scalable technological capabilities designed to meet the requirements of navies across the full range of platforms, from smaller vessels to the most complex combat ships.
At the exhibition, Leonardo signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Fincantieri aimed at, among other things, further strengthening the role of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture owned by Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%). The agreement consolidates cooperation in the naval defence sector and aims to leverage theindustrial and technological expertise in domestic and international markets of both Italian companies.
Representing the companies were Fincantieri’s CEO and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero and Leonardo’s CEO and General Manager Lorenzo Mariani. The event was attended by Fincantieri Chairman Biagio Mazzotta, General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division Eugenio Santagata, and Senior Vice President Naval Product Development and Partnering, Admiral Matteo Bisceglia while Leonardo was represented by Electronics Division Managing Director, Marco De Fazio and Chief Strategy & Technology Officer Angelo Pansini, and on behalf of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, by Chairman Adm Enrico Credendino and CEO Giovanni Sorrentino.
The agreement sets out the guiding principles for the future of the collaboration between both firms, with particular regard to strengthening OSN’s industrial and commercial role, developing opportunities in domestic and international markets, and leveraging their respective technological capabilities. The agreement aims to further consolidate OSN’s position as a benchmark for the integration of naval platforms and combat systems, including in response to the growing technological and operational complexity of defence programmes.
The main programmes OSN is involved in include the new-generation DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy, the new FREMM EVO frigates currently under construction, the Italian and international Legacy FREMM frigates, as well as logistics support programs for FREMM frigates and other Italian Navy units, and four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). These programs confirm OSN’s role as Prime Contractor in developing Italian naval capabilities and in leveraging the two Groups’ industrial and technological expertise. In September, OSN received a US$4.2 billion deal from OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) for two DDX vessels in which Fincantieri will serve as the platform system integrator, while Leonardo will design and develop the warships’ combat system.-–shp/adj/dl (Pix:LEONARDO)
