Update on Italian naval programmes

contedicavour

New Member
Here is an update on Italian naval programmes, taken from military magazines RID, PD, T&D...

> Cavour : the carrier is now confirmed to start sea trials this month, testing weapons systems and navigation tools. With some luck we'll get pictures ASAP

> Horizon DDGs : Doria started sea trials Sept 20th and will be completely operational in 2008, thus at the same time as the French Forbin. Duilio, second in class, is almost completed in Riva Trigoso shipyard and will be sailing next March for completion at Muggiano shipyard, sea trials in 2008 and will be operational in 2009. Apparently no trouble with integration of S1850, EMPAR and Aster missiles as hinted by some sources in the past.

> FREMM : Bergamini and Margottini, the 2 first in class, will start building Sept 2007, which leaves some time to finalize design. No decision has yet been taken whether both will belong to the ASW sub-class or whether there will be one ASW and one multi-purpose/land attack. Financially it would be wiser to lower ASW gear costs by ordering both as ASW. Besides, a decision on Sylver A70 VLS for Scalp Naval still hasn't been taken, and starting building of a GP FREMM without having decided whether to embark cruise missiles or not wouldn't make much sense.

> LHD (also known as 4th LPD) : the MOD vice-minister in charge of the Navy, Forcieri, is meeting the Civilian Protection Agency head to finalize details of how that agency would fund the LHD. For the moment the preferred design is 20,000 tonne 190-meter LHD with a wide island including hangars for 4 EH101, well dock for 4 LCM and hangar space for 40 heavy MBTs or 400 VTLMs, and accomodation for 750 marines. If the Civilian Protection Agency gives a green light (as it did in 1987 for the LPD San Marco), then building should start relatively soon (2008 ?)
The Navy is planning to cooperate with a "major non-European navy" to finalize design and potentially reduce costs by building more than 1. Speculation is high that the country is in reality India. It would be great if Italy and India jointly developed a LHD class of 20,000 tonnes building on the collaboration underway for the Indian indigenous aircraft carrier.

> AOR : fleet replenishers/oilers Vesuvio and Stromboli will have to be replaced in 2008-09 so orders are expected soon.

> Vulcano/Strales programme : the guided ammunition version of 76/62SR called "Davide" will be tested in 2007 aboard the OPVH Comandante Fulgosi. The 127/64 gun is also being developed in parallel with both guided and unguided ammunition with ranges of up to 100km in land attack mode.

> U212A vs S1000 : the Navy initially though of replacing the coastal SSKs of the Toti class with S1000. Now that it is clear that our total SSK strength will hover around 6 subs, the Navy's priority is entirely in completing the U212A programme with 2 follow-on orders next year. The Navy is however helping to finance Fincantieri's S1000 programme because of the R&D impact it could have for future subs.

> MCM ships : replacement of the 4 oldest MCM ships (Lerici class) will have to take place after 2012. For the moment Intermarine is selling MCM ships to Finland and trying to win a contract in India. 2 types of MCM ships, one oceanic and one more coastal, are under development.

cheers
 

Galrahn

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
contedicavour,

Since the AORs have been used extensively has forward command ships as well as logistics, will the new AORs be designed with that role in mind?

Or does the Italian Navy expect the newer Horizon and FREMM ships to perform this command role in future Joint Task Force operations?

Specifically I am talking about the use of ITS Etna (AORH 5326) over the past 6 months in the Gulf where it served as flagship for JTF 152.
 

contedicavour

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
contedicavour,

Since the AORs have been used extensively has forward command ships as well as logistics, will the new AORs be designed with that role in mind?

Or does the Italian Navy expect the newer Horizon and FREMM ships to perform this command role in future Joint Task Force operations?

Specifically I am talking about the use of ITS Etna (AORH 5326) over the past 6 months in the Gulf where it served as flagship for JTF 152.
So far we unfortunately don't have any details on the new AORs... although they will most likely be an evolution of the Etna and preserve or even enhance the command ship role for small task forces in limited threat environment.

cheers
 

aaaditya

New Member
hey guys,can anyone provide information on the sirius passive surveillance system,information like detection and tracking range,power consumption,number of targets tracked and number of targets engaged and the system weight.
 

t68

Well-Known Member
Sorry to dredge up an old thread but there does not seem to be a thread about the Italian navy.

Searching the net for answers on the minimum take of length for the F35B,I found some old titbits’ about Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) and Cavour (550).now it seems from information I have come across is that Cavour (550) needs modifications to handle F35B and is expected to be modified in the 2016 timeframe, I would assume it would be minor changes to her aircraft lifts (weight), any other mods need to be done ?

I also came across info the Giuseppe Garibaldi will be used as a training aid for F35B, would that be correct as I was under the impression that she was to small to use (not enough runway length).Also some time ago I seem to remember that Italy were planning on building a small LHD or LPD for the life of me I cannot remember which, is that still going ahead or has it be cancelled due to the GFC?

Does any one know the minimum take off length required for combat F35B needs?
 

SpazSinbad

Active Member
Sorry to dredge up an old thread but there does not seem to be a thread about the Italian navy.

Searching the net for answers on the minimum take of length for the F35B,I found some old titbits’ about Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) and Cavour (550).now it seems from information I have come across is that Cavour (550) needs modifications to handle F35B and is expected to be modified in the 2016 timeframe, I would assume it would be minor changes to her aircraft lifts (weight), any other mods need to be done ?

I also came across info the Giuseppe Garibaldi will be used as a training aid for F35B, would that be correct as I was under the impression that she was to small to use (not enough runway length).Also some time ago I seem to remember that Italy were planning on building a small LHD or LPD for the life of me I cannot remember which, is that still going ahead or has it be cancelled due to the GFC?

Does any one know the minimum take off length required for combat F35B needs?
Yeah - no Italian Navy thread as such so I went asearching also.... Video below is about the new LHD TRIESTE for the Italian Navy and F-35Bs with Helos sometimes. My e-mail correspondent tells me there is provision for a ski jump in future updates to this LHD but not for now p'raps. TRIESTE is planned to replace GARIBALDI in 2020 the video says at the end. TWIN Islands are the rage....

KPP Key Performance Parameter for the USMC Flat Deck F-35B STOVL Mission 'ladedah' on request requires NOW a round 600 feet of flat deck length. IF GARIBALDI will be used as an F-35B training aid then seems reasonable for practice landings & STOs at Max. VL landing weights or less (depends on conditions).

VIDEO: LHD Trieste, builder's model, description 31 Jul 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25anJzSybOk
 

swerve

Super Moderator
I presume that 600 feet of flat deck is what's needed for take off with no ski jump.

USMC pilots who've flown off the RN CVSs tend to rave about the big difference that the ski-jump makes to take-offs.
 
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John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Is there a reason why the USN doesn't seem to want ski jumps on their new America class other than the cost of a design modification?
 

swerve

Super Moderator
The official line is that a ski-jump reduces the space available for helicopter operations, which are the main purpose of the deck. Compromising STOVL fighter operations is preferred to compromising helicopter operations, however slightly.

Some people say that the real reason is that the USN doesn't want to give anyone any excuse for saying that USN LHDs/LHAs, even the America-class, are real aircraft carriers, in case it threatens the numbers of CVNs. I do not know if this is true.
 

hauritz

Well-Known Member
The official line is that a ski-jump reduces the space available for helicopter operations, which are the main purpose of the deck. Compromising STOVL fighter operations is preferred to compromising helicopter operations, however slightly.

Some people say that the real reason is that the USN doesn't want to give anyone any excuse for saying that USN LHDs/LHAs, even the America-class, are real aircraft carriers, in case it threatens the numbers of CVNs. I do not know if this is true.
I am inclined to think that they want to protect their carrier fleet by carefully delineating the roles of their amphibs and carriers.

In fact I don't think the USN operate any of its own aircraft from the amphibs. The marine corp takes that responsibility.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Some people say that the real reason is that the USN doesn't want to give anyone any excuse for saying that USN LHDs/LHAs, even the America-class, are real aircraft carriers, in case it threatens the numbers of CVNs. I do not know if this is true.
Likely this is the reason, the huge industrial concerns involved in CVN construction don't want their stuff going south, can't blame them. IMO, 11-12 CVNs should be the plan along with more America class ships. At the mid build point, reassess the numbers and adjust if necessary.
 

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
Likely this is the reason, the huge industrial concerns involved in CVN construction don't want their stuff going south, can't blame them. IMO, 11-12 CVNs should be the plan along with more America class ships. At the mid build point, reassess the numbers and adjust if necessary.
Funny sort of design, trying to fit a lot into 25,000t, LHD, sometime Strike Carrier, sometime ASW Carrier with the Armament and Sensor fit of a Light Frigate. The Italian Navy sure loves those 76mm guns, wonder there not sticking some Otomat SSMs on it as well.
The lack of a Ski Ramp is a bit Strange.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
I am inclined to think that they want to protect their carrier fleet by carefully delineating the roles of their amphibs and carriers.
Exactly.

In fact I don't think the USN operate any of its own aircraft from the amphibs. The marine corp takes that responsibility.
Well yes. The USN has no STOVL aircraft & it doesn't want any. It wants full-on carriers with cats & traps, fixed-wing AEW etc. Which is, I think, why it wants to avoid any blurring of the distinction. It doesn't want any pressure to move towards operating RN-style carriers, & fears that weakening the distinction between amphibs & carriers could risk that.
 

DaveS124

Active Member
Just to drag the thread back to the Italian navy, and not long-dead USN trivia, a small midcourse correction is necessary, re;

IF GARIBALDI will be used as an F-35B training aid then seems reasonable for practice landings & STOs at Max. VL landing weights or less (depends on conditions).
GARIBALDI has already been downgraded to LPH/LHA status and tasking. The Italians have no plans to use it for anything to do with fast air again. In poor material condition, and they're looking forward to ditching it. The chances of an F-35B ever coming into contact with it are exactly nil.

LHD TRIESTE also replaces the frigate-sized flat-tops in MM service, although a separate replacement for them may come later.

All in its own good time, these things.

:)
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Trieste isn't going to replace Garibaldi & all three Santi. IIRC the MM was given outline approval for two LHDs, but there's been talk of two smaller ships instead of a second.one.
 
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