Friday 27 March, the Auditorium of Palazzo Aeronautica, was the venue for the latest edition of’Innovation Day: event, organised by 3rd Division of the Logistics Command, dedicated to introducing new technologies within the Armed Forces' operational processes.
The initiative, realised in synergy with the Automated Information Systems Department, the Command and Control Systems Innovation Management Department and important industrial partners, it represented an important occasion for discussion and presentation of innovative projects developed by the Armed Force. In the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Antonio Conserva, and of the Logistic Commander, Air Force General Achille Fernando Cazzaniga, Some study, research and development projects for new capacitive assets have been presented, focusing on advanced digital solutions integrating Artificial Intelligence, autonomous systems, and quantum technologies, outlining an innovative ecosystem to support operations and decision-making processes.
As part of their presentation, The Chief of Staff of the Air Force It has been highlighted how current operational superiority is no longer exclusively linked to air supremacy, but rather to the ability to achieve information dominance. The guiding principle «See first to act better» has been elevated from a simple programmatic expression to an indispensable strategic necessity. Through the use of advanced command, control, and surveillance architectures, the Armed Force pursues the objective of converting knowledge into decision-making certainty and, consequently, into effectiveness of action, ensuring timeliness and impact in every operational scenario.
Among the central themes of the event, the project “Smart Wings Mission Planner”, developed in collaboration with IBM and with the contribution of staff from the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa. A platform designed for the planning and scheduling of crew deployment in operational missions. The proposed solution leverages advanced generative AI capabilities, enabling system queries through natural language and the creation of predictive scenarios based on historical and operational data. Integration with the Armed Force's databases allows for dynamic and multidimensional consideration of all aspects related to crew management: availability, qualifications, shifts, training, and operational readiness. The objective is to develop an advanced capability for planning and managing mission readiness, optimising time, resources, and overall performance.
In the context of operational safety, the project “SENTINEL”, ..., an advanced solution for the protection of convoys and moving units. The system generates a proactive “security bubble” through the coordinated use of a swarm of drones equipped with heterogeneous sensors.
The combination of these sensors, orchestrated by an automated, agnostic, and intelligent network, allows for the identification of dormant threats and potential dangers in high-operational-value scenarios. The result is a significant improvement in situational awareness and a drastic reduction in the time between threat detection and response.
During the event, “[object Object]" was also presented.“Adam”, an AI-based digital agent designed to support Air Force personnel in daily activities and the management of operational and administrative processes. The agent will allow real-time access and querying of data and documentation within the Armed Force's infostructure using natural language. This solution aims to simplify interaction with complex systems, reduce information retrieval times, and increase workflow efficiency, promoting an increasingly data-driven organizational culture.
In its presentation, IBM highlighted how artificial intelligence is a fundamental pillar for digital sovereignty and security in the defence sector. Modern operational advantage is based on information superiority, infrastructural resilience, and the ethical use of emerging technologies, with AI at the centre. AI reduces the time between data collection and decision-making, becoming a strategic lever throughout the operational cycle.
Ample space was also dedicated to quantum technologies, thanks to the contribution of Dr. Noemi Ferrari, a member of the Centre for Military Aerospace Studies (CESMA) and Chief Technology Officer of the company Quantum Ket. The contribution offered a strategic perspective on the potential of quantum technologies in defence, with particular attention to applications in computational, sensory, and secure communication fields, outlining medium-to-long-term evolutionary scenarios for technological superiority.
To complete the picture of innovations, there was the participation of the company “NETGROUP”, which presented the “HORUS” platform: an advanced AI-driven cyber defence and intelligence system, capable of anticipating, detecting, and countering cybercrime activities.
The Commander of the 3rd Division, Brigadier General Pietro Spagnoli, introduced the event as «a moment for discussion and sharing of the experiences gained. It is here that collaborations are born, competencies are consolidated, and fertile ground is built for new ideas, new solutions, and new operational methods. Innovation is never the result of a single project, but stems from the ability to dialogue and collaborate between different sectors, departments and professional roles.»
Throughout the event, the central role of collaboration between the Air Force and industrial partners in technological development clearly emerged. The use of systems based on Artificial Intelligence today makes it possible to significantly improve decision-making and operational processes. As highlighted by Logistics Commander, «The Italian Air Force's commitment to developing Artificial Intelligence-based technologies is now well-established, highlighting the progress made and the value of increasingly advanced tools available, capable of significantly improving efficiency and operational capabilities. Digital innovation in Defence is not an option, but a necessity. It is the factor that determines technological sovereignty, international credibility, and deterrence capability.»
Innovation Day is confirmed as a strategic event for outlining the technological future of the Air Force, increasingly focused on innovation, integration, and operational efficiency.
