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Leonardo to test Michelangelo missile‑defence 'dome' in Ukraine; NATO trials planned for 2027

Leonardo plans operational tests of its Michelangelo integrated air- and missile-defence 'dome' in Ukraine by year-end, with NATO member trials slated from 2027. The system fuses the Guardian ISR constellation with terrestrial sensors, radars and C‑UAS/air-defence elements, CEO Roberto Cingolani said.

Discovered 2026-03-12T21:08:50.361105-07:00 | 2026-03-12T21:08:50.361105-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

Operational testing in Ukraine by year‑end, followed by NATO trials from 2027, will provide real‑world validation of Michelangelo’s integrated sensor-to-shooter architecture and accelerate decisions on deployment and exportability (radar deliveries tied to Michelangelo).
The Guardian ISR constellation is central to the dome and underpins Leonardo Space’s growth thesis (the company is targeting strong space unit expansion), linking on‑orbit sensors to tactical air‑defence capability and doctrine (see Leonardo’s space and industrial plan context)(source:e228d7cd-605c-42ba-a668-81b7a2de346e)(source:63f9fe15-d364-49bc-92c8-27b9df32c95).
The programme positions Leonardo directly against emerging multi‑domain IAMD concepts (e.g., Thales’ SkyDefender), signalling an expanding market for networked dome solutions across NATO and partner states and shaping future procurement priorities (source:5475b2ed-81c5-4d81-9dca-d0b1c57bee57).

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