Francesco Langella

Gen. Francesco Langella was born in Neaples on the 15th of April 1953. He is married with Nunzia Guida and has two children: Grazia (born in 83) and Fabio (born in 88).
He joined the Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli (NA) on the 18th October 1972 as Engineer Cadet and became member of the Corso Nibbio 3°.
Graduated at the Federico II University in Naples as Electronic Engineer on the February 1978.
In the period 1978-79 as a Lieutenant served in the “30th Wing Maritime Patrol” in Elmas (Cagliari) being responsible for the Avionic Maintenance of ATLANTIC II a/c.
Then in the period 1979-80 served in the 14th Wing “Radio Aids and Electronic Warfare” still as responsible for the Avionic Maintenance.
In 1980, as Captain, he joined the Official Test Centre (OTC) in Pratica di Mare and became section leader involved in test and evaluation activities on various systems becoming Leader of R&T Group for Sighting and Aiming Systems.
In 1982 he entered the Gruppo Gestione Software (Software Maintenance Team), a unit responsible for the maintenance of Tornado Operational SW. While in this unit he became Major and Lt.Col. assuming the leadership of the Group.
From 1992 to 1995 he was posted in the 4th Dep. of the Air Staff as responsible, in particular, for the EF2000 Integrated Logistic Support Review and, in general, for the Operational Software Matters.
From 1995 to 1998 he assumed the position of Assistant Attaché in the Italian Embassy in Bonn.
After this period, from 1998 to 1999, he served in SEGREDIFESA (Secretary General of Defence/NAD) mainly as Desk Officer of the NH-90 Project and other Development Programs.
In 1999, promoted Colonel, became Director of the 11th Division in ARMAEREO (Directorate for Air Armament and Airworthiness- DAAA) being responsible for the technical aspects and procurement of Avionic Systems.
From 2005 to 2008 was posted in the Air Force Logistic Command where, after having been the leader of 2 Offices, respectively responsible for the Tornado and EF2000, MB339 and Predator, assumed the position of leader of the Ufficio Coordinamento Tecnico Operativo -UCTO (Technical- Operational Coordination Office).
From 2008 to 2009 he attended the 60th session of Istituto Alti Studi Difesa (IASD), the high- management level training Institute of the Italian MoD.
Promoted Brig. Gen. in 2009 he was appointed as Chief of 2nd Department of DAAA where he was responsible principally for technical aspects and procurement of helicopter systems.
In January 2012 assumed the leadership of the 1st Department - Fixed Wing - of DAAA.
At the same time became Vice-President of UNAVIA, the independent National Aeronautical Regulatory Board.
In July 2012 was promoted Major General and in October 2012 assumed the position of Deputy Director of DAAA.
Promoted Lt.Gen. in July 2014 assumed, in October, the position of Director of DAAA and in the same month was nominated Chief of the Corpo del Genio Aeronautico (Air Force Technical Corp).
On the 15 April 2018, at 65, he left the active service passing in the Reserve.
He carried out a collaboration with the Associazione Industria Aerospazio e Difesa
(AIAD) for the support to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the period 2019-2022.
He is now acting on a private bases as a Senior Advisor and responsible for Defense Development Strategy in support of various national Companies and is collaborating with Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale, Department of Sapienza University in Rome, teaching “Basic Aeronautical Regulation and Certification Processes”.