3 Minutes
Italy's defense firm Leonardo has unveiled an ambitious multi-layered air-defense project called the Michelangelo Dome — a modular, AI-driven shield designed to protect Europe's critical infrastructure, urban centers and strategic assets from drones, hypersonic missiles and maritime threats.
A modular shield that spans from sea to space
Named after the Renaissance artist Michelangelo, the Michelangelo Dome aims to create an integrated combat platform that operates across multiple domains: undersea, surface, air and near-space. Leonardo describes the architecture as modular, open and scalable, enabling phased deployment and easier integration with existing national and NATO systems. The company says parts of the system will enter service in stages, with the full framework targeted to reach operational capability by 2028.
Why this matters now: threats and strategic context
The urgency behind the project is clear. The war between Russia and Ukraine has accelerated the use of unmanned aerial systems, cruise and ballistic missiles and emerging hypersonic weapons, exposing gaps in current defenses. Incursions by foreign drones into NATO airspace reported in recent months have further underscored the need for more sophisticated, responsive protective layers.
Michelangelo Dome is positioned as Italy’s—and potentially Europe’s—answer to that challenge, aligning with broader efforts to enhance NATO interoperability and European strategic autonomy. Leonardo officials presented the program to senior Italian military commanders in recent days, emphasizing cooperation with the armed forces to tailor the system to national defense needs.
How AI and multi-domain integration work together
Artificial intelligence is central to Michelangelo Dome. AI tools are expected to improve threat detection and classification, predict incoming attack vectors, optimize interceptor allocation, and automate coordination across sensors and weapon systems. That could mean faster, more accurate responses against swarming drones, high-speed missiles and complex layered attacks that combine sea-launched and aerial threats.
Leonardo also highlights a single-network approach: fused situational awareness across distributed sensors and shooters to reduce reaction times and increase resilience. Modular nodes could allow smaller units—land, naval or mobile vehicle-mounted systems—to plug into the same operational picture.
How Michelangelo Dome compares and what comes next
The initial concept has drawn comparisons to previously proposed layered shields, including ideas floated in other nations. Several European countries have already begun deploying AI-enabled weapon systems; Poland and Romania, for example, have moved to field compact AI-based defenses. The U.S. Merops system, noted for its small logistics footprint, is one example of how AI is shrinking the size and response time of modern defense nodes.
Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, outlined the program at a Rome event and stressed its dual aims: protect critical assets and strengthen European defense integration. Leonardo plans close coordination with Italy’s military as development continues, with incremental testing and deployment before the 2028 operational goal.
As Europe adapts to faster, more distributed threat architectures, Michelangelo Dome represents a significant push toward intelligent, multi-domain air defense. Its success will hinge on achieving reliable AI performance, seamless interoperability with allied systems and scalable deployment across national forces.
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