On the occasion of the International Airshow in Farnborough 2024, the CIRA – Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali – and Leonardo renewed the framework agreement for collaboration on technological research and development activities. The president of CIRA, Antonio Blandini, and the co-director general of Leonardo, Lorenzo Mariani, have signed the agreement that further consolidates the cooperation between two Italian excellences in the aerospace sector.

The framework collaboration agreement is aimed at strengthening research and technological development activities in the aerospace field. The Parties undertake to share expertise on common technological research themes and to make facilities, laboratories and equipment available to achieve the objectives set. In particular, the CIRA will ensure the use of its advanced infrastructures, such as the Space Qualification Laboratory, the Laboratories and testing of large facilities, the Icing Wind Tunnel and the future research infrastructures it will coordinate with Leonardo. Leonardo will share advanced research projects of common interest and its own innovation and Research networking and will provide support to the strategic, research, development and innovation activities of the CIRA

Lorenzo Mariani, Director General of Leonardo, said: “In addition to strengthening the partnership with CIRA, this agreement confirms our commitment to research, with the support of the best professional resources, towards technological innovation objectives that can often only be achieved by making a system with solid collaborative initiatives”.

CIRA President Antonio Blandini commented: "The renewal of this agreement represents a decisive step in our mission to promote innovation in the aerospace industry. The collaboration with Leonardo's Italian and world excellence allows us to take advantage of unique synergies and to carry out ambitious and cutting-edge research projects."

The agreement carries out a long and productive collaboration between Cira and Leonardo, translated over the years into numerous successful projects. These include participations in European cooperation programmes such as Clean Sky 1, Clean Sky 2 and Clean Aviation, as well as direct collaborative relationships that have led to significant innovations in the field of aerospace technology.