Early concept mirrors elements of the U.S. “Golden Dome,” proposing a continent-wide architecture integrating sensors, AI, C2, and space assets. Gemini
Europe Eyes Integrated Air and Space Defense With Leonardo’s Michelangelo Dome Initiative
The envisioned system would fuse next-generation surveillance, cyber defenses, and artificial intelligence to counter missiles and drone swarms.
Leonardo has announced their Michelangelo Dome to provide missile and drone defense to the European continent. The full name, Michelangelo The Security Dome, represents the beginning of an immense undertaking by Leonardo and Europe.
It is very early to say what Michelangelo Dome's architecture will be; however, the wording in Leonardo's press release seems to mirror many of Golden Dome's initiatives. The proposed dome will not be a single piece of equipment but a comprehensive architecture that creates a protective shield by integrating next-generation sensors, command-and-control systems, cyber defenses, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) across air, land, sea, and space domains. Michelangelo Dome's modular and open system is specifically engineered to detect, track, and neutralize sophisticated threats, including hypersonic missiles and large drone swarms, offering collective security that aligns with European and NATO defense standards.
Michelangelo Dome will bring together assets that have yet to be created. As of writing, Europe has no missile tracking assets in Space and rather relies on U.S. satellites for detection and tracking. With that being said, there are programs currently in the works to provide this capability to Europe, namely JEWEL and ODIN's EYE. These initiatives will likely be a part of the future Michelangelo Dome along with Space-Based Interceptors (SBI)s.
SBIs will play a part in both Golden Dome and likely some degree in Michelangelo Dome. These satellites will be in low Earth orbit (LEO), which is a worldwide endeavor due to the nature of the LEO orbit. This prompts the question: Will there be overlap in Golden Dome and Michelangelo Dome in terms of SBIs?
Many SBIs will be needed in LEO in order to fulfill the Golden Dome initiative. Analysts cite varying numbers but a good bellwether is Starlink's worldwide coverage. With over 10,000 satellites launched, Starlink provides coverage to most of the world. If Golden Dome needs the satellite numbers akin to Starlink, perhaps Michelangelo Dome could fulfill some of that requirement, having SBIs that perform for both systems.
These are early days, and it remains to be seen what Michelangelo Dome will become. With Golden Dome and Michelangelo Dome having very similar missions, some sort of overlap and or coordination is plausible.