Tested the ballistic protection level of a textile panel patented by the Polytechnic of Milan From September 24 to 26, the 3rd Squadron hosted a team of researchers from the Department of Architecture, Construction Engineering and Built Environment of the Polytechnic of Milan, who, in collaboration with personnel from the Experimental Flight Center (CSV) in Pratica di Mare and the 3rd Squadron in Villafranca, carried out a testing campaign at the base airfield to examine the ballistic protection level of an innovative textile construction system, packable and refillable, called “Textile Wall”. During the activities planned under a collaboration agreement signed by the Polytechnic and the General Staff, the peculiarities of different combinations of panels and the related filling materials were evaluated in order to verify compliance with the protection levels, as required by the NATO regulations in the relevant sector: in particular, measurements of the impact speed of projectiles and the penetration depth were performed using high-precision instrumentation made available by the Ballistic Investigation Service of the CSV – RTMAS. The welcoming address of Colonel Francesco De Simone, Commander of the 3rd Squadron, began the testing activity, conducted under the technical responsibility of the CSV and organized by the personnel of the Storm Force Protection Group; at the end of the testing phase, on September 26, the Director General of the Polytechnic, Eng. Graziano Dragoni, to witness a ballistic simulation and receive a preliminary summary of the experiments carried out. In a spirit of mutual knowledge, the opportunity was taken to present to Mr. Dragoni a brief briefing on the capabilities of the 3rd Squadron, during which the logistical capabilities of the Department were highlighted, characterized by an now indispensable dual use of these capabilities, making them available for both military operational needs and support to the civilian population. At the end of the visit, Colonel De Simone presented the traditional Department crest to Mr. Dragoni, who, in signing the Honor Roll, emphasized his satisfaction with the experimentation carried out by the Polytechnic of Milan with the valuable support of the specific professionalism expressed by the personnel of the Air Force. Located under the Support Services Department of the Air Force Logistics Command, the 3rd Wing is the military branch that expresses “projection logistics capabilities” through the use of technologies and equipment of the so-called “dual” type, since these capabilities can be used both for military purposes and for civilian needs, useful for the national community in the event of major events and disasters.
