In ultima analisi, non per mancanza di rispetto verso il caro vecchio “Piaggione”, vediamo la funzione dei P 166 a servizio del GEA, purtroppo la situazione operativa del bimotore non è alquanto rosea, il velivolo nonostante il recente aggiornamento al sistema di missione e di propulsione soffre di problemi di natura tecnica in particolare ai motori PT6A-66. Dei dodici P 166DL3 originali solo due sono rimasti nella configurazione originale, l’esemplare MM25173 GF-03, attualmente accantonato sul piazzale antistante l’hangar del GEA, difficilmente pensiamo che ritornerà a volare, mentre il secondo è attualmente in manutenzione, questo esemplare è l’ultimo a mantenere la colorazione originale (MM25178 GF-08) con la classica striscia giallo/verde che corre lungo la fusoliera.
Attualmente un DP1 viene costantemente mantenuto a Latina presso il 70° Stormo per svolgere le attività addestrative descritte precedentemente. Nonostante questa parte iniziale dedicata al “166” non sia particolarmente lusinghiera, va subito detto che il 2012/2013 dovrebbero essere gli anni della rinascita del particolare bimotore, infatti proprio in questi mesi è stata ultimata l’installazione a bordo di un DP1 (MM62267 GF-10) di un innovativo sistema di telerilevamento. Questo nuovo sistema si chiama “Airborne Remote Sensing” (Telerilevamento aereo a mezzo di sensori aviotrasportati).
Prima di passare ad una descrizione del nuovo sistema vorremmo far presente che i P 166 della Guardia di Finanza sono tutti attrezzati con il sistema Daedalus AA3500, il Daedalus è un sensore bicanale, analogico non geo referenziato (pertanto richiede lunghissimi tempi per il post-processing) che acquisisce dati nel campo dell’ultravioletto e dell’infrarosso termico. I dati di questo sensore possono trovare applicazioni, per l’ultravioletto nella ricerca degli oil spill sulle superfici di acqua e per il canale dell’infrarosso nel campo dell’inquinamento termico.
L’analisi multi temporale dei dati acquisiti nel campo dell’infrarosso può fornire riscontri attraverso l’utilizzo di specifici algoritmi nel campo dell’inerzia termica e della presenza di acqua nel terreno con applicazioni nell’esame idrogeologico e di protezione civile.
Ritornando all’innovativo sistema lasciamo spazio alla descrizione professionale del Capitano Casbarra che ci illustra come è nato il progetto e quali sono le potenzialità.

L’“Airborne Remote Sensing” è costituito da:

-Un Sensore Iperspettrale Aviotrasportato ITRES Casi 1500
Il Casi 1500 è un sensore pushbroom capace di realizzare immagini georeferenziate di ben 1500 pixel, iperspettrale con 288 canali che vanno dal campo del visibile a quello dell’infrarosso. Le potenzialità di questo innovativo sensore sono moltissime e nei più svariati campi applicativi. Particolarmente interessante è la possibilità di poter analizzare contemporaneamente i dati in RGB (visibile) e nell’infrarosso, permettendo di effettuare immediate analisi di contesto atte a ridurre drasticamente il margine di errore. Grazie ad un’ottica di elevata fattura e all’utilizzo di sensori CCD di ultima generazione, il sistema può produrre delle immagini che garantiscono una risoluzione al suolo di circa 25 cm (allo stato attuale nessun sensore imbarcato su satellite può garantire una simile risoluzione). Il Casi 1500 oltre a rappresentare lo stato dell’arte dei sensori aviotrasportati per la bontà delle immagini che produce, grazie alla tecnologia RTPS, è in grado di processare i dati acquisiti che andranno a formare le carte tematiche di contesto in real-time. Questo significa ridurre notevolmente i tempi di processamento dei dati a terra e garantire una rapida risposta operativa.
Alcuni degli ambiti d’intervento in cui si potrebbe operare:
-studio, controllo e monitoraggio delle discariche, analizzando l’effetto del biogas e dei suoi esiti di stress vegetativo nelle aree circostanti le discariche, si potrebbe inoltre controllare lo stato di avanzamento dei lavori nei siti soggetti a bonifica;
-localizzazione di discariche abusive e monitoraggio di discariche RSU (identificazione di emissioni di biogas, localizzazione di fuoriuscite di percolato e valutazione dello stato di salute sulla vegetazione circostante);
-ricerca di piantagioni illecite come canapa indiana e piante di coca,
-controllo di prevenzione sull’assetto idrogeologico del territorio intervenendo anche in caso di calamità naturali (terremoti, alluvioni, eruzioni vulcaniche);
-monitoraggio degli incendi in atto, valutazione dell'impatto ambientale in aree già colpite da incendi e del successivo ripopolamento da parte delle specie vegetali. Analisi di parametri che possono far individuare aree ad alto rischio incendi, nonché la rilevazione dei nuclei di alimentazione degli incendi e la valutazione della loro estensione;
-identificazione uso suolo e distinzione colture, anche in relazioni ad eventuali frodi da chi riceve sovvenzioni comunitarie;
-controllo inquinamento delle acque fluviali e marine e del funzionamento dei depuratori;
-identificazione, mappatura e monitoraggio delle coperture in cemento-amianto;
-monitoraggio abusivismo edilizio, in particolar modo in zone di grande importanza paesaggisti;
-accoppiato ad altri sensori come ad esempio ADS 40 potrebbe essere un valido strumento per indagini sugli illeciti relativi ai campi fotovoltaici.

Un Sensore ITRES Tabi 320

Il Tabi 320 è un sensore aviotrasportato particolarmente performante, capace di individuare, con precisione millesimale, temperature superficiali in un range dai -20° ai 110° (a bassa risoluzione addirittura 1000°C ). Sensibile alle variazioni e ai cambiamenti di emissività della superficie esplorata, questo permette la realizzazione di mappe termiche o mosaici di mappe georeferenziate. In combinazione con il Casi 1500 vi sono moltissime applicazioni che con lo sviluppo di algoritmi ad hoc possono dare eccellenti risultati in vari campi applicativi.
Di seguito invece rappresentiamo tre sensori della Sun – Benecon che in futuro potranno essere anch’essi utilizzabili dalla Guardia di Finanza sul DP1

LEICA ADS 40

La camera aerofotogrammetrica digitale esegue il rilevamento georeferenziato a scala territoriale integrabile in Sistemi Informativi Geografici (GIS); finalizzato al monitoraggio dell'uso del suolo, inquinamento, stato della vegetazione, stabilità dei versanti, al rilievo di infrastrutture e servizi esposti a rischio geologico, allo studio di impatto ambientale, all'analisi delle caratteristiche fisiche e biologiche dei corpi idrici, all'elaborazione di cartografie tematiche. Acquisisce immagini aeree in formato digitale a colori, in bianco e nero e all’infrarosso acquisisce punti di appoggio topografici con il sistema GPS software post-processing per elaborazione di cartografie, di ortofotopiani digitali e per studio ed analisi delle immagini acquisiti. La ADS40 è il punto di partenza di tutti gli studi che si devono fare sul territorio con sensori diversi, dai termici agli iperspettrali. La camera acquisisce per ciascun frame di lettura immagini tricoidi (in avanti, nadir, indietro) in tutto lo spettro del visibile; immagini infrarosso in perpendicolare (nadir); immagini spettrali nella gamma del rosso, verde e blu secondo l’angolatura in avanti. Il set di immagini acquisite permette la lettura tridimensionale del territorio oltre il dato metrico. Le acquisizioni possono essere integrate con quelle del laser scanner aereo grazie alla stessa unità di controllo e alla stessa suite di elaborazione dei dati grezzi.

TERMA SLAR (Side Looking Airborne Radar)

Il sistema SLAR (Side Looking Airborne Radar) è un sensore usato prevalentemente per la ricerca di inquinamento da idrocarburo in mare. Esso è un sensore per lunghe distanze, capace di individuare inquinamento da idrocarburo fino a 20-25 m da ogni lato del velivolo, in relazione alle condizioni meteo-marine. Data la notevole lunghezza delle antenne può essere installato solo su velivoli di medie dimensioni. Può essere implementato con altri di sensori. Così come il CASI 1500, ha una quasi real time processing capability. Questo tipo di sensore è attualmente utilizzato sui velivoli ATR42 MP della Guardia Costiera Italiana e molti velivoli impiegati regolarmente usati da enti di ricerca.
Laser scanner tridimensionale LIDAR Leica ALS50II
Il sensore LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) consente la lettura tridimensionale puntuale del territorio da cui estrarre modelli DSM (Digital Surface Model) e DTM (Digital Terrain Model) ad altissima definizione. Le acquisizioni LIDAR possono essere integrate con le immagini aerofotogrammetriche da ADS40 utili alla modellazione fotorealistica della nuvola di punti: aspetto di particolare rilevanza scientifica per la foto interpretazione del dato e la classificazione mirata dei punti 3D.

English translation

"With the Rostrum and the Claw" is the motto that inspired the GEA, the reference is always traceable to the Griffin, a winged mythological figure that has always identified the Corps of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Custom Police). It is an incitement to fight by all means against illegality through the infallible weapons represented by the rostrum (from the Latin "rostrum" or the beak of the griffin) and the claw of the raptor.
In fact we can note that the coat of arms of the Department follows unequivocally the principle set out in the motto, inspired by the most famous and ancient flight departments of the national and foreign armed forces operating on the sea, metaphorically represents the struggle between the fixed-wing component of the Guardia di Finanza (the Griffin) and the criminal organization that operates illicitly by sea (the Hydra). The sun, with its showy yellow rays, indicates the predominance of light over darkness going to symbolize, therefore, the victory of the forces of good over those of evil".
In the fifties the Guardia di Finanza introduced the aircraft in the operational device of contrast to the illicit traffics via sea, up to the institution of a component of offshore and the acquisition of an aerial component to "fixed wing" to dedicate to the marine patrolling. The Servizio Aereo (Air Service) of the Guardia di Finanza in this context reaches a first milestone in 1990 with the introduction into service of the first aircraft P 166DL3, the twin-engined Piaggio will constitute for some years the backbone for the specialty offshore within the fixed wing, the aircraft will also be the backbone for the II Gruppo Aereo (Air Squadron) constituent of the Centro di Aviazione (Aviation Center) of Pratica di Mare. The official establishment of the GEA takes place officially on September 1, 2000, the new Department is placed under the command of the Comando Operativo Aeronavale (Naval Air Operations Command) and equalized in the organization chart of the Gruppi Aeronavali (GAN or Air Naval Groups) of Trapani, Messina, La Spezia, Cagliari and Taranto. Since its inception, the Gruppo Esplorazione Aeromarittima (Maritime Exploration Squadron) has always been structured into three distinct sections, the 1ª Sezione (Section) is composed of the Nucleo Equipaggi (Crew Nucleus), the 2ª Sezione from the Nucleo Operatori (Operators Nucleus), and the 3ª Sezione represents the Nucleo Efficienza Aeromobili (Aircraft Engineering Nucleus).
The tasks entrusted to the GEA by the higher departments are represented in two macro areas, the offshore maritime patrol as a particular task, and transport in general with all its variables.
Maritime patrolling is the main task of the Department and includes a series of activities all aimed at the repression of illegal activities such as: illegal immigration, the smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the fight against arms trafficking, the detection of illegal landfills and the suppression of pollution of the sea, the search for and rescue at sea, the support to populations in the event of natural disasters.
From 1990 to 2012 were realized by the department more than 49,000 flight hours, for lovers of statistics these were carried out for a total of 28,492 hours by P 166DL3, 15,666 flight hours were produced by the ATR, 2,052 were borne by the P 166DP1, finally the last arrived (P 180) contributed for 1,943 hours of flight.
We take into account that the ATR entered into service from 1996, while the two P 180 in 2007, in the same year also began the conversion of the P 166DL3 in DP1.
Also for statistical purposes we see that in the course of last year, of the 3,200 hours carried out by the Department these were equally divided into operational and training hours; the operative part has seen engaged the GEA in particular for the contrast of the migratory flow inserted between the structures previewed from the international missions under the aegis of the Agency Frontex, which the missions AENEAS (Lampedusa), HERMES (Brindisi), INDALO (Almeria-Spain), FALCON (Alicante-Spain) and HERA (Dakar-Senegal), the list represents the year 2011. As for the field of training, the 1,600 hours of flight were almost all carried out at the detachment of the GEA in Latina (70° Stormo or Wing). Recall that to become navigating officers of the Guardia di Finanza is necessary to attend a special aero-naval course at the Accademia (Academy) of Bergamo, then the aspiring pilot lands at the Scuola Basica (Basic School) of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) of Latina where they get the Brevetto di Pilota Militare (BPM or Military Pilot License) Fase (Phase) 2, a further step always takes place in that of Latina with the execution of a special course for multi-engine aircraft on the P 166DP1.
The pilots destined to the ATR 42 will carry out a course Type Ratings near the plants of ATR to Toulouse that previews activity ground, simulator and airplane training, the final qualification will come instead granted with a flight dedicated directly to Pratica di Mare. All GEA pilots and on-board operators are qualified on the ATR 42 and the "Piaggione", while instructors are qualified on all flight lines (ATR, P 166 and P 180).
The within in which work the Gruppo Esplorazione Aeromarittima is identified for the normal operations of patrol in the stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea in front of the Lazio, overlapping to north with the area of competence of the GAN of La Spezia (covered from the Sezione Aerea di Manovra or Aerial Section of Maneuver of Pisa) and to the south with the GAN of Trapani and Messina (with the respective Sezioni Aeree di Manovra of Catania and Grottaglie) but the most evident peculiarity is the ability to extend its range of action throughout the western Mediterranean and not infrequently to go far beyond the Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar) on the Atlantic Ocean, this is what can be noted on paper, but in fact the GEA is daily called in any area of Italy where there is an operational need received from the highs commands and direct to the Servizio Aereo of the Guardia di Finanza.
As for everyday life, the GEA is, nowadays, called to intervene in the most critical scenario of illegal immigration in recent years: the emergency of Lampedusa.
The recent unrest in North African countries has caused a massive exodus of desperate people to the Italian coast. The Gruppo is therefore engaged in continuous operational deployment on the island, as an irreplaceable tool for long-range surveillance of national and international waters.
After the four-year commitment in the international operation "HERA" and the complex operation "CENGIZHAN" (first case of arrest and seizure of a "mother ship" dedicated to the transhipment of illegal immigrants on fast boats to the Italian coast) the GEA continues its work of preventing and repressing illegal immigration. Operational deployment in Italy and abroad have led to excellent results, such as the operation "PRINCESS" that allowed the seizure of an M/Y, the arrest of two smugglers and the detention of 62 illegal immigrants.
You cannot forget the operations "ALBATROSS" and "DEVOP 20/09". The first carried out in 2009 with the arrest of five people, the seizure of the M/P "DOÑA FORTUNA" and 5,536 kg of cocaine.
The second mission, called "DEVOP 20/09", was also conducted in 2009 and led to the arrest of eight people, the seizure of the M/N "DESTINY EMPRESS" and 1,000 kg of cocaine.
To highlight also the activities aimed at the protection of our territory we take a step back in time, among other things the fact has also caused a great stir on the major national news, when following the collapse of the Domus dei Gladiatori (2010), to avoid further disasters, the "Daedalus" system installed on board the P 166 was used in order to measure the health of the ground and the houses of the archaeological site of Pompei. In fact, the system is able to detect water infiltrations in the Pompei domus and the presence of water pockets under the foundations. The data obtained from the mapping of the territory, have been processed by scientific experts of the second University of Naples, in order to monitor the geological changes of the entire archaeological area that have occurred in recent years. Taking a further step back to 2009 we give just a nod to say that the GEA contributed to the G8 of 2009 held in L'Aquila when, with its own aircraft and crews, has ensured the transport of some of the most important international delegations present at the summit.
In order not to forget that there are also missions carried out for reasons exclusively of solidarity, it should be stressed that the Department has always turned its attention to the least fortunate and most in need of help, initiating humanitarian initiatives both in Italy and abroad.
The safeguarding of the economic and financial security of the borders of the European Union is accompanied by the development of concrete projects of solidarity, as in the case of the operation "HERA II". The constant use of ATRs in Senegal territory represents a splendid opportunity for the tangible development of humanitarian initiatives.
After highlighting what are the activities carried out by the Department we see how the aircraft are used and what are the technologies at the service of the GEA.
Currently the fleet of the GEA is constituted by an ATR 42-500MP (multi-purpose), from an ATR 42-500 in version "green" (from transport), from two ATR 42-400MP, from two P 180 Avanti II, from 12 P 166DP1/DL3, of the originals delivered from 1990 only two are still in the original version DL3.
The ATR 42 in the MP version are the spearhead of the Department regarding the long-range maritime patrol activity, a task carried out thanks to the ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) mission system installed on board the "Surveyor". The ATOS designed by Selex Galileo, is designed to allow a complete and immediate interaction between multiple sensors and subsystems, the data obtained by the various sensors are processed and transformed into images, are displayed in real time on the suite by the operator and recorded if necessary.
Now let’s see what are the equipment of the ATOS and especially how the various on-board systems are used. The main console is palletized, then removable from the cab compartment in no time, it is built from two perfectly interchangeable workstations called MOC 1 and 2 (Multifunction Operating Console) where each operator has a multifunction monitor, a secondary monitor, a joystick and a control panel, on both can be viewed the images transmitted by the EOST turret or the SLAR radar, obviously the two operators manage either one or the other application. The central part of the console is dedicated to data transmission, through a Link in the HF band can be sent all the data directly to the Operating Command, at the moment it is not possible to transmit images through this system.
Now let’s see what are the sensors at the service of the ATOS system and positioned outside the nacelle of the ATR 42.
In the anterior ventral area is placed the radome of the research radar inside which is placed the synthetic aperture antenna of the Raytheon SeaVue 2022. The SeaVue is able to cover distances up to 256 nautical miles and to carry out detection of boats very fast and with low radar reflection, therefore very suitable for maritime patrol. It can also be used in normal SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) mode to scan the terrestrial orography of the coasts, or in weather mode, and again in ISAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) mode to have a target display in 3D format.
The Electro Optical Sensor Turret (EOST) is installed at the rear right of the main carriage. The EOST is an electro-optical group composed of a 360-degree gyro-stabilized platform, a high-resolution ATV color camera, a monochrome LRTV spotter (long-range camera) (distinguishes 20 cm high characters at a distance of 1.5 nautical miles) and from a high resolution infrared camera with five nautical miles lock, type recognition at 2 m/n, identification of a target of 2,3 m x 2.3 m at 1.5 m/n. These sensors allow extremely stable images even in the presence of high aircraft turn rates, as well as recognizing, identifying and locating surface targets both day and night, by sensors operating in different bands.
Immediately after the EOST there is an emergency transmitter that can be released on command of the crew to a possible shipwreck.
The type crew on board the ATR is usually composed of seven members, so we find: two pilots, commander and co-pilot, TACCO (Tactical Operator), two operators to the systems, two operators for search and rescue.
Leaving aside the obvious functions of the two pilots we note the presence of a TACCO that performs the function of coordinator and head of mission, the two operators to the systems carry out the activities on the consoles MOC 1 and 2, finally, the two operators for search and rescue have the function of observers placed at the bubble windows, in case you need it, they also take care of the launch of the lifeboats on the ATR.
The only ATR 42 in "clean" version MM62251 GF-16 is mainly used for transport and training activities. All four can be quickly reconfigured in case of need in MEDEVAC (medical evacuation). As news of the last hour we are informed that recently a new task has been added for the crews of the "Grifo" (ATR callsign), in agreement with the Interior Ministry and the Polizia di Stato (State Police) the ATR of the GEA can be called to perform a sort of QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) for the urgent transport of NOCS (Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza or Central Security Operational Unit) units of the Polizia di Stato, this is made possible by the fact that the GEA is active 365 days a year 24 hours a day.
Now we move on to the two P 180 Avanti II, the latest born in Piaggio thanks to its characteristics of "executive" aircraft lends itself very well to the role of VIP transport and tactical support to operations in favor of the General Command and obviously the COAN (Comando Operativo Aeronavale), economic and fast, it is suitable for the use of support for operations outside the area in favor of crews who must move to and/or to the air base of Pratica di Mare.
The Avanti II version supplied to the GEA is the improved version of the predecessor Avanti I, among its features there is a new version of the PT6 engine, which allows it to increase the maximum speed by 11 knots, while maintaining unchanged fuel consumption, also was raised to 12,100 pounds the maximum takeoff weight with significant payload gains and autonomy.
Other changes were introduced mainly in the cockpit, integral digital instrumentation and glass cockpit configuration, three LCD screens where all the information generated by the sensors, flight parameters, engines, aircraft and advanced navigation systems, collision avoidance systems (TCAS) and TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System) and communication. One of the most important improvements introduced is the installation of flaps on the front fins operated simultaneously with the classic ones of the main wing.
In the last analysis, not for lack of respect for the dear old "Piaggione", we see the function of the P 166 at the service of the GEA, unfortunately the operating situation of the twin engine is not quite rosy, the aircraft despite the recent upgrade to the mission and propulsion system suffers from technical problems in particular to PT6A-66 engines. Of the twelve original P 166DL3 only two have remained in the original configuration, the MM25173 GF-03, currently shelved on the apron in front of the hangar of the GEA, we hardly think that will fly again, while the second is currently under maintenance, this model is the last to maintain the original color (MM25178 GF-08) with the classic yellow/green stripe running along the fuselage.
Currently, a DP1 is constantly maintained in Latina at the 70° Stormo to carry out the training activities described above. Although this initial part dedicated to the "166" is not particularly flattering, it must be said that 2012/2013 should be the years of the rebirth of the particular twin engine, in fact in recent months the installation aboard a DP1 has been completed (MM62267 GF-10) of an innovative remote sensing system. This new system is called "Airborne Remote Sensing" (Aerial remote sensing by airborne sensors).
Before moving on to a description of the new system we would like to point out that the P 166 of the Guardia di Finanza are all equipped with the Daedalus AA3500 system, the Daedalus is a two-channel, non-geo-referenced analog sensor (therefore requires very long post-processing times) which captures data in the field of ultraviolet and thermal infrared. The data of this sensor can find applications, for the ultraviolet in the search of oil spills on water surfaces and for the infrared channel in the field of thermal pollution.
The multi temporal analysis of data acquired in the field of infrared can provide evidence through the use of specific algorithms in the field of thermal inertia and the presence of water in the ground with applications in hydrogeological examination and civil protection.
Returning to the innovative system we leave room for the professional description of Captain Casbarra that illustrates how the project was born and what are the potential.
The "Airborne Remote Sensing" consists of:
-an ITRES Airborne Hyperspectral Sensor Cases 1500
The Casi 1500 is a pushbroom sensor capable of creating georeferenced images of up to 1500 pixels, hyperspectral with 288 channels ranging from the field of the visible to the infrared. The potential of this innovative sensor are many and in the most varied fields of application. Particularly interesting is the possibility of being able to simultaneously analyze data in RGB (visible) and infrared, allowing immediate context analysis to drastically reduce the margin of error. Thanks to a high-quality optics and the use of the latest generation of CCD sensors, the system can produce images that guarantee a ground resolution of about 25 cm (at present no sensor aboard satellite can guarantee a similar resolution). In addition to representing the state of the art of airborne sensors for the quality of the images it produces, thanks to RTPS technology, it is able to process the data acquired that will form the thematic maps of context in real-time. This means significantly reducing the processing time of data on the ground and ensuring a fast operational response.
Some of the areas of intervention in which you could operate:
-study, control and monitoring of landfills, analysing the effect of biogas and its vegetative stress outcomes in the areas surrounding landfills, and monitoring the progress of work at sites subject to remediation;
-location of illegal landfills and monitoring of MSW landfills (identification of biogas emissions, location of leachate spills and assessment of the health status of the surrounding vegetation);
-search for illicit plantations such as Indian hemp and coca plants,
-prevention control on the hydro geological planning of the territory, including in the event of natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions);
-monitoring of ongoing fires, assessment of the environmental impact in areas already affected by fires and subsequent restocking by plant species. Analysis of parameters that can identify areas of high fire risk, as well as the detection of the nuclei of fire supply and the assessment of their extension;
-identification of land use and differentiation of crops, including in relation to possible fraud by recipients of community subsidies;
-control of pollution of river and sea water and the operation of sewage treatment plants;
-identification, mapping and monitoring of asbestos cement roofs;
-illegal building monitoring, especially in areas of major landscape importance;
-coupled to other sensors such as ADS 40 could be a valuable tool for investigating illicit PV fields.

The Sensor ITRES Tabi 320
The Tabi 320 is a high-performance airborne sensor, capable of detecting, with millesimal precision, surface temperatures in a range from -20 to 110 degrees (at low resolution even 1000 degrees). Sensitive to variations and changes in emissivity of the explored surface, this allows the realization of thermal maps or mosaics of georeferenced maps. In combination with the Casi 1500 there are many applications that with the development of ad hoc algorithms can give excellent results in various application fields.
Here we represent three sensors of Sun - Benecon that in the future can also be used by the Guardia di Finanza on the DP1
LEICA ADS 40
The digital aerophotogrammetric camera performs georeferenced detection on a territorial scale that can be integrated into Geographic Information Systems (GIS); for the monitoring of land use, pollution, vegetation status, slope stability, the survey of infrastructure and services exposed to geological risk, the environmental impact study, the analysis of the physical and biological characteristics of water bodies, the development of thematic maps. It captures aerial images in digital format in color, black and white and infrared captures topographic support points with the GPS system post-processing software for cartography processing, digital orthophotoplanes and for the study and analysis of the captured images. The ADS40 is the starting point of all the studies that must be done on the territory with different sensors, from thermal to hyperspectral. The camera captures for each reading frame trichid images (forward, nadir, backward) across the visible spectrum; infrared images in perpendicular (nadir); spectral images in the range of red, green and blue according to the forward angle. The set of acquired images allows the three-dimensional reading of the territory beyond the metric data. The acquisitions can be integrated with those of the aerial laser scanner thanks to the same control unit and the same raw data processing suite.
TERMA SLAR (Side Looking Airborne Radar)
The SLAR system (Side Looking Airborne Radar) is a sensor used mainly for the research of hydrocarbon pollution at sea. It is a long distance sensor, capable of detecting hydrocarbon pollution up to 20-25 m from each side of the aircraft, in relation to weather-marine conditions. Due to the considerable length of the antennas, it can only be installed on medium-sized aircraft. It can be implemented with other sensors. As well as the CASI 1500, it has an almost real time processing capability. This type of sensor is currently used on ATR42 MP aircraft of the Guardia Costiera (Italian Coast Guard) and many aircraft used regularly by research departments.
LIDAR Leica ALS50II 3D Laser Scanner
The LIDAR sensor (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) allows the three-dimensional punctual reading of the territory from which to extract models DSM (Digital Surface Model) and DTM (Digital Terrain Model) high definition. LIDAR acquisitions can be integrated with aerophotogrammetric images from ADS40 useful to photorealistic modeling of the point cloud: aspect of particular scientific relevance for the photo interpretation of the data and the targeted classification of 3D points.
During our stay at Pratica di Mare it was possible to carry out an activity on board the GEA aircraft engaged in a standard mission, usually to highlight how the work of the GdiF crews is carried out we are "inserted" in operational missions that allow us "laypeople" to acquire knowledge about this particular work; sometimes, however, due to force majeure this cannot happen, this does not take away that what may seem a misfortune turns instead into a new and interesting situation.
In fact, due to urgent commitments, it was not possible to carry out the classic mission aboard a full mission ATR. but we were "offered" to fly in a training context for a "normal" flight in formation; normal in truth is not appropriate because in many armed forces the flight in formation is absolutely not an activity contemplated, while for example in AM it is absolutely essential to acquire such skills for all pilots, in the case of the Servizio Aereo of the Guardia di Finanza this type of flight is part of an attitude that is asked as an added value.
For the occasion this mission was planned with the ATR 42 GF-16 "Grifo 16" and with the P 180 GF-19 "Grifo 19", the ATR with us on board acted as "training leader", while the P 180 played the role of gregarious, the training was aimed at the co-pilot of the Avanti in phase of attainment of the instructor pilot licence. The crews were composed of three members on Grifo 16, for the occasion the post of Chief of crew was taken by Col. Pil. Bastone (GEA Commander), while on Grifo 19 there was an instructor as crew leader, and a co-pilot.
The mission lasted about 45 minutes and developed towards the Pontine Islands, immediately after taking off from Pratica di Mare the P 180 took the position of gregarious placing itself on the right of the ATR, he then made a series of position changes alternating on both sides, never in the wing but keeping a slightly backward position and with a slightly lower altitude following as a shadow the route of the training leader. Once back at the base for the crew of Grifo 16 there was the opportunity to make a series of touch-and-go on the runway of the airport Mario De Bernardis.