To forge a strong and stable partnership between the Italian Air Force and CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Center) to help national aerospace industries compete internationally. This is the guiding principle of the agreement signed today by the air squad general Pasquale Preziosa, chief of staff of the Air Force and by prof. Luigi Carrino, president of CIRA.
With the five-year agreement, the two institutions set out to launch joint initiatives on various issues of common interest also in order to carry out their institutional tasks more effectively and thus strengthen Italy's presence and role at an international level.
Among the topics considered of strategic importance: the hypersonic flight, the development of aircraft for access to space, advanced materials for aerospace applications, remote piloted aircraft, innovative engines and on-board systems, air traffic management.
General Preziosa highlighted how "The competence of the Air Force in the space environment is a fact. A journey that began more than 50 years ago, thanks to the genius and commitment of General Luigi Broglio, an engineer of the Air Force, which allowed Italy to access Space with its own satellite, the "San Marco". A success that in 1964 only the Soviet Union and the United States could share. "
Always Preziosa continued underlining how "The Air Force has astronauts, engineers and doctors: it has the human and technical skills and has a tradition. From this tradition the GIAS (Group of Aero-Space Engineering) was born, which will also the already solid relations of the Armed Force with CIRA. "
"The agreement signed today testifies to CIRA's constant commitment to develop innovation in the aeronautics and space sectors in order to consolidate the Italian leadership in this sector. CIRA intends to operate in a network of strategic alliances with other excellences, such as the Italian Air Force , in order to ensure the best use of the country's resources from a dual perspective. " said the president of CIRA, Luigi Carrino.
In order to maximize the results of the collaboration, during the activities, personnel exchanges, the use of research infrastructures available at both institutions, as well as mutual support for staff training are provided in order to increase their skills in the areas of interest.
Joint participation in work groups or other institutional initiatives at national and international level is also among the key points of the agreement.
A joint committee will have the task of identifying specific initiatives and drawing up the implementation agreements and verifying the state of the activities every six months.
