On Tuesday 21 September, a day of study and debate took place at the Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli. The day’s programme featured high-profile presentations by representatives from the academic, military, institutional and industrial sectors. The various presentations highlighted the strong link between hypersonic flight technologies and the evolution of the aeronautical and space transport system, although there are still numerous technological and organisational challenges to be overcome in order to achieve effective operational capability. Of particular significance in this context was the presence of the Italian Air Force, underscoring the importance the Armed Forces attach to providing high-quality training for officers from the very earliest stages, as evidenced by the impressive setting of the Air Force Academy, as well as to highlight the Air Force’s natural aptitude for advanced technologies related to flight – whether aeronautical or space-related – and, more generally, the high strategic importance attributed to the sector, which is now, more than ever, projected into an aerospace dimension. In particular, the Head of the Third Department ‘Aerospace Instrument Planning’ of the Air Force General Staff, Air Brigadier Giovanni Fantuzzi, prior to his specific presentation on hypersonic flight, outlined to those present the Air Force’s strategy and policy in the space sector, within the broader context of the Ministry of Defence’s space policy. In the afternoon, the address by the Hon. Airaghi, aerospace adviser to the Minister of Defence, highlighted how space has increasingly taken on a connotation of indispensable strategic importance, both to meet future challenges and to maintain Italy’s position amongst the most advanced nations. The concluding debate then highlighted how, even in a field such as hypersonic flight, Italy – whilst possessing a high level of expertise – requires an integrated, overarching vision to guide the country’s efforts and optimise investment. Finally, Mr Airaghi, in the presence of representatives from the MIUR (Ministry of Education, Universities and Research) and CIRA, called for closer collaboration in shaping the policies of the national aerospace research programme.
