Although Italy is not under obvious aerial threat from any adversary, the lessons learned developing the Michelangelo Dome could be used to aid NATO partner nations.
Famed Italian architect and painter Michelangelo Buonarroti designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and began work on it before he died in 1564. Michelangelo utilized drawings and three-dimensional models to convey his vision, which was completed in 1590 by architects Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana.
Michelangelo probably could not have envisioned that, some 450 years later, his name would be lent to a missile defense system now being developed to protect Italy from aerial threats. Although the so-called “Michelangelo Dome” is ambitious in scale, it could be operational by the end of the decade.
The program was recently unveiled by Leonardo, the Italian partially-state-owned aerospace and defense firm named for Leonardo da Vinci—ironically Michelangelo’s bitter rival during his lifetime.
“In a world where threats evolve rapidly and become ever more complex—and where defending is costlier than attacking—defense must innovate, anticipate and embrace international cooperation,” CEO Roberto Cingolani announced at a media event last week. “With the Michelangelo Dome, Leonardo confirms its commitment to protecting citizens, institutions and infrastructure by combining advanced technology, systemic vision and industrial capacity. Defense must innovate, anticipate, and open up to international cooperation.”
The “Michelangelo Dome” Will Use Multi-Domain Architecture
Much like the US announced the “Golden Dome”—itself based on Israel’s “Iron Dome”—the Italian Michelangelo Dome calls for a whole-of-industry approach that will build on existing and emerging technologies into a shared multi-domain architecture.
“Michelangelo Dome is not a single system, but a complete architecture integrating next-generation land, naval, airborne and space sensors, cyber-defence platforms, command-and-control systems, artificial intelligence and coordinated effectors,” Leonardo explained on its website.
The Italian firm added that the goal of the program is to create “a dynamic security dome” that can detect, track, and even neutralize threats, including from a “large-scale” attack by emerging threats like hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. It could also be employed against surface and underwater threats at sea, and from hostile ground forces.
The hypothetical dome would further utilize a “cyber-secure environment” that is “supported by” advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive algorithms, which would anticipate hostile activity, and then optimize a response while automatically coordinating the “most suitable effectors.”
Leonardo Could Expand the Dome Beyond Italy
Leonardo is already envisioning the Michelangelo Dome protecting more than just the boot of Italy, and the company explained that the technology and infrastructure of the defense system would be open and fully compatible with the platforms of other European partners and “compliant with NATO standards.”
That could include greater interoperability, even when none was initially planned.
“Just as Michelangelo’s Last Judgment unified disparate Christian symbols into a single coherent vision, Leonardo’s Michelangelo Dome aspires to bring order to Europe’s fragmented defence ecosystem,” suggested a report from Decode 39.
Leonardo’s Cingolani said the dome would also be based on a Distributed Joint All Domain C2, empowered by a newly designed C5I module (MC5), which will allow it to operate the different systems in unison. It could further protect NATO members that may have lagged in defense capabilities.
“If a country in Eastern Europe doesn’t have the money to buy the F-35 or the Patriot, but has an anti-aircraft missile system, we can integrate it into the Michelangelo Dome, adding the ability to communicate following NATO protocols and doctrines,” Cingolani explained.
America’s Dome Will Be More High-Tech than Italy’s
Although the Michelangelo Dome could be similar to the Golden Dome effort announced by President Donald Trump earlier this year, there will be several differences. The American system will be built around a space-based missile defense shield, and the Michelangelo Dome would connect several systems across multiple domains.
As noted, it will also tie together different systems, even ones that weren’t designed to be interoperable.
“The name Michelangelo Dome evokes Italy’s great engineering tradition: the dome as a symbol of protection, structural harmony, vision and ingenuity,” Leonardo added. “The project brings together this cultural heritage with state-of-the-art technology, creating a solution that showcases Italy’s innovation, creativity, and technical capability on the global stage.”
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Piotr Swat.
