Assets of the Italian Air Force against the threat of drones
From November 23 to December 20, the Italian Air Force was called upon to support the Armed Forces of Qatar on the occasion of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 competition, through the deployment of a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Anti-drone System (C-UAS) Task Group, reporting directly to the IT NCC Air Commander, Colonel Antonio Vivolo, as part of the Inherent Resolve – Prima Parthica mission.
The requested support concerned the defense against the threat deriving from the so-called “mini and micro drones”. For this event, the Italian Air Force has deployed the fixed anti-drone system “ACUS” (AMI Counter UAS) together with portable jammer systems. Overall, about 30 units are employed in the Task Group, including Air Riflemen of the 16th Wing “Protection of the Forces” and operators of the Force Protection sector belonging to the 4th, 6th and 32nd Wing.
The C-UAS capabilities include the acquisition of technologies for the sighting and possible neutralization of drones, even of very small dimensions, that fly over sensitive or forbidden areas at low altitude such as military installations, for the protection of the personnel operating in them and of the material assets kept there.
In a context specially prepared in constant and full compliance with all the measures provided for by the health protocols to prevent COVID-19, the activity was an important experience of international cooperation as well as demonstration of C-UAS capabilities, made increasingly necessary by the proliferation of illegal activities carried out with the use of remotely piloted systems which, due to their size, are not only difficult to visualize with traditional surveillance and detection systems, but also in complex contrast with conventional aircraft or helicopters.