Leonardo is at the forefront of ensuring that modern naval forces can operate effectively in increasingly complex and interconnected environments. As validating system performance in multi-domain operations becomes a strategic necessity—especially when coordinating among allied navies—Leonardo contributed significantly to the At Sea Demonstration / Formidable Shield 25 (ASD/FS25). This major Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) exercise, held biennially, is organized by the United States Sixth Fleet and conducted by STRIKFORNATO, the NATO maritime command based in Lisbon.
A key participant in the exercise was the Italian Navy, which deployed the Giovanni delle Bande Nere—the first of the Multi-Purpose Combat Ship (MPCS/PPA) Multi Mission Combat Units in its “full” configuration. This advanced vessel is outfitted with cutting-edge combat systems developed by Leonardo. During the live-fire exercise, the ship successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the SADOC 4 command-and-control system, designed for IAMD operations, and the Dual Band Radar, a sophisticated sensor suite capable of tracking ballistic missiles, airborne threats including drones and supersonic projectiles, as well as surface targets.
SADOC 4 is the ship's brain: a new-generation command-and-control system designed to quickly and effectively coordinate defence against air and missile threats, even the most advanced and difficult ones to intercept. Designed for today's and tomorrow's operational needs, SADOC 4 integrates advanced technologies based on the continuous evolution of interaction between man and machine. From the keyboard to multi-touch controls, the system revolutionises the way operators manage information and access commands, simplifying tasks and reducing decision-making times. A more intuitive and dynamic approach that improves operational readiness and makes the ship even more responsive and aware of the scenario in which it operates.
The Dual Band Radar is a radar suite designed to be installed on various types of ships. It offers high performance thanks to the arrangement of its panels, which ensure complete coverage and reduce electromagnetic interference. The radar is capable of performing multiple functions simultaneously: surveillance, target tracking, missile guidance, fire support and electronic attack, operating in all directions in a coordinated and flexible manner.
Thanks to the capabilities of the command-and-control system developed by Leonardo, the ship operated cohesively and effectively with NATO allied forces, contributing significantly to the shared situational awareness of the naval force. Notably, the onboard radar suite detected and tracked a short-range ballistic target while maintaining tracking and disseminating the track to the point of impact at sea. The ship also acted as a Forward Observer, independently identifying medium-range ballistic missiles launched from both land and sea, and sharing data in real time via tactical links. Leonardo's Dual Band Radar stood out for its ability to initialise tracking within seconds of launch and accurately track ballistic missiles for hundreds of kilometres, even at supersonic speeds.
During the final forum of the exercise, held in the North Sea from 3 to 23 May 2025, the Italian Navy was recognized as having one of the highest levels of IAMD capability in the world, thanks to the capabilities of its sensors and the ability of SADOC 4 to operate and exchange data with the systems of the most technologically advanced units in the world, first and foremost the American ones.
