L3Harris Technologies partners with ELT Group to establish a Multi-Sensor Test Facility in Italy

On 24 July L3Harris Technologies, in partnership with ELT Group, the Italian global leader in electromagnetic spectrum operations, launched the establishment of a multi-sensor test facility for commercial, military and government programmes

This collaboration marks the first time an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) test and calibration facility of this type will be available outside of the United States. L3Harris and ELT Group will work together to create an in-country centre of excellence for the Italian military and allied nations.

Jon Rambeau, President, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris, presenting the activities and potential of the firm, which started more than one century ago, stated: “L3Harris’ industry partnerships deliver long-term benefits that support Italian businesses, while also maximizing mission readiness for military units…This new sensor test facility further strengthens Italy’s defence infrastructure.”

The new facility will support the G550 Joint Airborne Multi-Mission, Multi-Sensor System (JAMMS) and Electronic Attack aircraft along with other air, surface, and maritime platforms.

Domitilla Benigni, CEO and COO of ELT Group added: “ELT Group is pleased to be selected as a partner company for this important programme, bringing forward more than 70 years of expertise supporting allies in ISR, multi-mission and electronic attack operational support…This cooperation marks the first step in developing next-generation capabilities in the Italian test and operational range environment.” 

The launch of this partnership between L3 Harris and ELT falls in a moment where many NATO countries agreed to increase their defence budgets, and L3 Harris and ELT with their capabilities and experiences are added values. Italy, in order to provide its fleet of F-35s with ‘force multipliers’, needs a substantial number of electronic and intelligence gathering and management platforms, like the Gulfstream G550 JAMMS and Electronic Attack. The bad news is that the demand of these systems exploded, and the industrial process still requires some adjustment which may slow deliveries to the buyers.

The facility, whose exact location has not been disclosed yet, will be used to support commercial, military and government programmes, including ISR and electronic warfare platforms such as the G550 JAMMS and the EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft, both ordered by the Italian Air Force to support its CAEW/AEA/AISREW components. Additional support will extend to a range of air, naval and surface platforms.

The timing of the centre activation was also not revealed by L3 Harry and ELT officials, giving that this is a prerogative of the Italian authorities, but they are optimistic considering the evolution of the security environment.

L3Harris has wide-ranging of industrial cooperation outside government-to-government agreements on the JAMMS and Electronic Attack aircraft programmes. These partnership span from aircraft to ground systems, WESCAM sensor maintenance, infrastructure and sustainment with MEEG, Leonardo and Fincantieri Marinette Marine and a close cooperation with the Grumman Aerospace Cooperation.