New Gulfstream for Italian Air Force
In 2020, The Italian Ministry of Defence published their multi-year planning document for 2020 - 2022 (Documento Programmatico Pluriennale 2020-2022) showing a major boost to its defence budget.
One of the priorities was the C4ISTAR platform (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Information/Intelligence, Surveillance and TARgeting) that is based on the Gulfstream G550. As a result of this priority, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved a possible foreign military sale to the Italian government of two Gulfstream G550 CAEW on 15 December 2020.
On 7 March 2022, the first example landed at Pratica di Mare (RM) air base near Rome after a nine-hour flight from Dallas (TX). Gulfstream G550 serrial MM62329 and code 14-13 (construction number 5581 with former Gulfstream test registration N991JS, built in 2019) is most probably already modified by L3Harris to Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW), but lacks the huge external modifications and antennas.
The Aeronautica Militare (ItAF, Italian Air Force) already operates two Gulfstream E-550A Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft (serials MM62293 and MM62303). These aircraft were purchased from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 2012 as part of a swap deal under which Israel purchased thirty Aermacchi (now Leonardo) M346 advanced jet trainers.
The new Gulfstream G550 (MM62329) was delivered in full Aeronautica Militare markings and was already furnished with a large emblem on its tail to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 71° Gruppo, which is based at Pratica di Mare (RM).
With this new Joint Airborne Multi-Sensor Multi-mission System (JAMMS), the Italian Air Force has a C4ISTAR platform equipped with modern sensors for real-time sharing of information. Not only to collect and share data and information more efficiently, but also battle management for the digital battlefield.
Photo by Gulfstream Guy