Brigadier General Clinton J. O’Neill, Chief of the Defence Staff of Malta, visited the Centre of Excellence for Remotely Piloted Aircraft
The visit by the Brigadier General took place in recent weeks Clinton J. O’Neill Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta at the APR Center of Excellence (CDE-APR), located in Amendola on the base of the 32nd Air Wing of the Italian Air Force’Italian Air Force.
The authority was received from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Division. Andrea Argieri and from the Colonel Antonio Vivolo, Commander of the 32nd Wing, who accompanied the guest to the CDE-APR where they were welcomed by the Director of the Center, Colonel Giuseppe Urbano.
The activity began with a presentation briefing, in which the mission, structure, and tasks of the Center were explained.
The Director emphasized the importance of the rapid technological evolution of the specific segment in the industrial field and the possible future operational applications. The various simulation systems available were also illustrated, and the technological laboratory used for research and development activities on remote-controlled aircraft weighing less than 20 kg (Mini/micro class) was shown.
The Commander of the 28th APR Flight Group, conducting a briefing regarding the Group's mission.
The Aeronautical Military Authority, with inter-service connotations, under the control of the 3rd Department of the Air Force Air Staff, The Center of Excellence in Amendola is the only inter-service reference point for the APR field.
Composed of industry experts, it extends its activities from basic training for the piloting of APR systems in service and the use of their sensors, to the development of the sector through support for the testing of new systems, the development of procedures and the validation of concepts related to their use, thus ensuring training and procedural standardization to guarantee maximum interoperability both at inter-force and inter-agency levels.
The 32nd Squadron is under the command of Combat Forces Command (CFC) of Milan, whose assigned mission is to acquire and maintain the operational readiness of all air defense and attack and reconnaissance organizations, ensuring the operational efficiency of weapon systems, equipment, and materials, as well as the training of personnel and the constant updating and optimization of operational procedures, in compliance with the guidelines of the Higher Authorities.
