Latest news with #AeronauticaMilitare
Irish Daily Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
Inside Pope Francis' funeral 'ring of steel' as Trump among world leaders set to attend on Saturday
With 50 heads of state expected to head to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, security will be near the top of the agenda. The security operation, dubbed a 'ring of steel', involves snipers, road blocks and futuristic anti-drone guns. The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. In keeping with Francis' humble character, the Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will meet the pope's coffin to pay homage to him when it arrives at St. Mary Major basilica for burial. The final goodbye to the leader of the Catholic church will be held on Saturday with US President Donald Trump among the guests. Toddler twins drown in family pool 'after great-gran with Alzheimer's leaves door open' Mortician 'conducted sickening experiments' on dead bodies in her care The latest images from the Vatican reveal members of the Aeronautica Militare, Italy's Air Force, sporting sunglasses and standing in St Peter's Square armed with what seem to be assault rifles equipped with three large bazooka nozzles. Despite their intimidating presence in the square, these guns are non-lethal and have been deployed to discourage potential drone pilots intending to carry out illegal surveillance or something more sinister. These weapons are known as Counter-Unmanned Aerial Anti-drone Systems (C-UAS). The Italian ACUS (AMI Counter UAS) conducts electronic warfare using a device that emits a disruptive signal, blocking drones from transmitting video feeds and GPS signals. The area is swarming with camoflaged soldiers on the ground along with other other security operatives including mysterious masked men dressed entirely in black. Carabinieri, Italian police with military duties, have assumed positions on parapets above St Peter's Square where they have established sniper's nests. These specialist officers have been deployed as part of a large-scale counter-terror operation as the threat level ahead of the funeral was unofficially heightened. While the specifics of the security measures have not been officially disclosed, it is speculated by experts that thousands of police officers - both in uniform and undercover - will be dispersed throughout the city during the funeral. Currently, a significant security force is screening anyone wishing to visit the Pope in St Peter's Basilica, requiring them to undergo airport-style security checks. Before entry, visitors must pass through metal detectors and x-ray scanners. The Pope will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica, were tens of thousands of people have already visited, before his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral on Saturday. The tomb is being prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before. Italian military with an anti-drone weapon patrol near The Vatican in Rome on April 24, 2025 These weapons are known as Counter-Unmanned Aerial Anti-drone Systems (C-UAS). The Italian ACUS (AMI Counter UAS) conducts electronic warfare using a device that emits a disruptive signal, blocking drones from transmitting video feeds and GPS signals. 1 of 14 Snipers line the routes to and from the Basilica 2 of 14 Tens of thousands of people have already visited the Vatican since the Pope's death adding to the headache for security personnel 3 of 14 Anti-Drone device being deployed by Italian Military against potential terrorist attacks. These futuristic weapons are just part of the evolving nature of security threats. 4 of 14 Visitors queue to enter Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica (Basilica of Saint Mary Major), where the Pope will be buried. 5 of 14
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Inside 'Ring of Steel' around Pope's funeral as Vatican guards wield anti-drone weapons
Pope Francis I is well-protected as he lies in state at the altar of St Peter's Basilica, with Italian and Vatican authorities boasting an arsenal of high-spec weaponry Snipers, soldiers armed with massive bazooka-like anti- drone guns and security checks akin to a bustling airport have appeared around the Pope 's state resting place as a ring of steel is erected ahead of his funeral. Pope Francis I died aged 88 on Easter Monday, sparking a period of worldwide mourning that has seen tens of thousands of people descend on Vatican City. They have arrived to pay their respects to the late Pontiff while he lies in state at the altar of St Peter's Basilica, the grand cathedral at the Vatican complex's centre. Italian and local authorities have clubbed together to provide security for those thousands of people and to keep the site safe for the funeral on Saturday, with police and military personnel seen bristling with weapons alongside queues of the faithful. The latest photos from the scene show members of the Aeronautica Militare, the Italian Air Force, donning sunglasses and standing in St Peter's Square armed with what appear to be assault rifles with three massive bazooka nozzles. The guns, while they cut an imposing figure in the square, are non-lethal and have been deployed to deter would-be drone pilots looking to conduct illegal surveillance. Otherwise known as Counter-Unmanned Aerial Anti-drone Systems (C-UAS) the Italian ACUS (AMI Counter UAS) conducts electronic warfare via a pack-supplied gun that emits a disruptive signal that prevents drones from broadcasting video feeds and GPS signals. Members of the public have photographed and attempted to speak with the soldiers on the ground over the last few days, but they have refused to expand on the nature of their operations. People looking up from the camo-clad soldiers stationed on the ground may spot other units - this time composed of masked men in full-black attire. Carabinieri, Italian police with military duties, have taken up posts on parapets above St Peter's Square where they have set up sniper's nests. The specialist officers have been deployed as part of a massive counter-terror operation as the threat level ahead of the funeral was unofficially raised. Snpiers will likely be stationed further afield this weekend during the event itself, as the Pope will not be placed in the usual Vatican grottoes underneath St Peter's. He will be transported via procession from St Peter's once the service is complete to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore - Saint Mary Major - across the River Tiber in central Rome. He will be laid to rest there after the procession takes a winding route through the city's streets. While details of the required security have not been publicly confirmed, experts believe thousands of police officers - plain-clothed and otherwise - will be spread across the city while the transfer takes place. At the moment, the notable security presence is vetting anyone who wants to visit the Pope in St Peter's Basilica by making them walk through airport-style security checks. Before they enter, members of the public must pass through both metal detectors and x-ray scanners.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Midair photos show fighter jets scrambled to escort an American Airlines plane after a bomb threat
A mid-flight bomb hoax led Italy's air force to scramble jets to escort an American Airlines plane. The Boeing 787 was flying from New York to Delhi when the threat occurred. Italy's Aeronautica Militare released a series of photos of the incident unfolding. American Airlines passengers had a whirlwind journey after a bomb threat saw their flight turn around, and fighter jets scrambled to escort the plane. The airline said the "possible security concern" was later found to be "non-credible." Saturday evening's Flight 292 from New York to India's capital, New Delhi, U-turned over the Caspian Sea — more than 10 hours after taking off, according to data from Flightradar24. It then spent around four hours going back toward Italy, where the country's air force scrambled two Eurofighter jets. In a press release, the Aeronautica Militare said it escorted the Boeing 787 to Rome Fiumicino Airport after a "bomb alert." It also shared images of the Eurofighters following the airliner, as well as a video. #Scramble: nel pomeriggio due #Eurofighter dell'#AeronauticaMilitare sono decollati su allarme per identificare e scortare un aereo di linea diretto a Delhi che aveva invertito rotta verso l'aeroporto di Fiumicino (RM) per una segnalazione di un presunto ordigno esplosivo a bordo — Aeronautica Militare (@ItalianAirForce) February 23, 2025 American Airlines said the flight landed safely in Rome, and "law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart." "Safety and security are our top priorities and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," it added. The Boeing 787 landed in Rome around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. The same plane is scheduled to fly from Rome to New Delhi at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, per Flightradar24. A senior official briefed on the matter told ABC News a bomb threat was received by email. Protocol at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport required an inspection before the plane could land there, American Airlines said. The incident is the latest in a string of bomb threats on planes flying to or in India in recent months. India's deputy civil aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol, said that as of mid-November, there had been 999 hoax bomb threats in the country in 2024. More than 500 of those were received across two weeks, and 12 people were arrested. Last October, Singapore's Air Force scrambled two F-15s to escort an Air India Express flight, which landed safely. The same month, an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago made an emergency landing in Canada's Nunavut territory after another bomb threat. Were you a passenger on this flight? Get in touch with this reporter at Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Midair photos show fighter jets scrambled to escort an American Airlines plane after a bomb threat
A mid-flight bomb hoax led Italy's air force to scramble jets to escort an American Airlines plane. The Boeing 787 was flying from New York to Delhi when the threat occurred. Italy's Aeronautica Militare released a series of photos of the incident unfolding. American Airlines passengers had a whirlwind journey after a bomb threat saw their flight turn around, and fighter jets scrambled to escort the plane. The airline said the "possible security concern" was later found to be "non-credible." Saturday evening's Flight 292 from New York to India's capital, New Delhi, U-turned over the Caspian Sea — more than 10 hours after taking off, according to data from Flightradar24. It then spent around four hours going back toward Italy, where the country's air force scrambled two Eurofighter jets. In a press release, the Aeronautica Militare said it escorted the Boeing 787 to Rome Fiumicino Airport after a "bomb alert." It also shared images of the Eurofighters following the airliner, as well as a video. American Airlines said the flight landed safely in Rome, and "law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart." "Safety and security are our top priorities and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," it added. The Boeing 787 landed in Rome around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. The same plane is scheduled to fly from Rome to New Delhi at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, per Flightradar24. A senior official briefed on the matter told ABC News a bomb threat was received by email. Protocol at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport required an inspection before the plane could land there, American Airlines said. The incident is the latest in a string of bomb threats on planes flying to or in India in recent months. India's deputy civil aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol, said that as of mid-November, there had been 999 hoax bomb threats in the country in 2024. More than 500 of those were received across two weeks, and 12 people were arrested. Last October, Singapore's Air Force scrambled two F-15s to escort an Air India Express flight, which landed safely. The same month, an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago made an emergency landing in Canada's Nunavut territory after another bomb threat. Were you a passenger on this flight? Get in touch with this reporter at Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Midair photos show fighter jets scrambled to escort an American Airlines plane after a bomb threat
A mid-flight bomb hoax led Italy's air force to scramble jets to escort an American Airlines plane. The Boeing 787 was flying from New York to Delhi when the threat occurred. Italy's Aeronautica Militare released a series of photos of the incident unfolding. American Airlines passengers had a whirlwind journey after a bomb threat saw their flight turn around, and fighter jets scrambled to escort the plane. The airline said the "possible security concern" was later found to be "non-credible." Saturday evening's Flight 292 from New York to India's capital, New Delhi, U-turned over the Caspian Sea — more than 10 hours after taking off, according to data from Flightradar24. It then spent around four hours going back toward Italy, where the country's air force scrambled two Eurofighter jets. In a press release, the Aeronautica Militare said it escorted the Boeing 787 to Rome Fiumicino Airport after a "bomb alert." It also shared images of the Eurofighters following the airliner, as well as a video. American Airlines said the flight landed safely in Rome, and "law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart." "Safety and security are our top priorities and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," it added. The Boeing 787 landed in Rome around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. The same plane is scheduled to fly from Rome to New Delhi at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, per Flightradar24. A senior official briefed on the matter told ABC News a bomb threat was received by email. Protocol at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport required an inspection before the plane could land there, American Airlines said. The incident is the latest in a string of bomb threats on planes flying to or in India in recent months. India's deputy civil aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol, said that as of mid-November, there had been 999 hoax bomb threats in the country in 2024. More than 500 of those were received across two weeks, and 12 people were arrested. Last October, Singapore's Air Force scrambled two F-15s to escort an Air India Express flight, which landed safely. The same month, an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago made an emergency landing in Canada's Nunavut territory after another bomb threat. Were you a passenger on this flight? Get in touch with this reporter at Read the original article on Business Insider
