Special Report: Leonardo offers air-defence systems derived from naval turrets

Artistʼs impression of Hystrix 76 ADS air-defence system. (Leonardo)

A Leonardo spokesperson detailed the air-defence systems her company is offering, derived from naval turrets for its Michelangelo Dome modular, open, and scalable integrated defence system presented at the end of 2025. The systems range from 30 to 76 mm and are part of Michelangelo Domeʼs ‘dead zoneʼ.

Michelangelo Dome has an architecture integrating sensors, effectors, and platforms across all domains through a distributed all-domain command-and-control network. It is designed to create a security dome capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising threats across all operational domains, protecting critical infrastructure, sensitive urban areas, territory, and assets at the national and European levels.

Hystrix 76

The Hystrix (Porcupine in Latin) 76 ADS is an air-defence system derived from Leonardoʼs 76 Sovraponte lightweight naval turret designed for land-based and mobile operations. It is equipped with a 76 mm gun capable of firing both standard ammunition and guided precision munitions against various threats, with a kill range of over 7 km, depending on the gun, ammunition, and target. It fires Driven Ammunition Reduced Time of flight (DART), which combined with the Strales guidance system is designed to intercept manoeuvring missiles and fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems.

The Hystrix 76 ADS is a trailer-mounted remotely operated turret with a multifeeding capability that does not require hull penetration to install, facilitating integration. It has a rate of fire of 76 rds/min with 76 ready-to-fire rounds and an elevation from -5º to +85º.