Today's Italian Navy

[designeraccd]

This FREMM design is one of the competitors for the USN's new frigate. Based on what I have read about them they seem to be one of the most powerful, for their size, modern FFGs out there.

Why do I fear the USN will "go" with the L-M modified LC$ design?? DFO

[ivorthediver]

Nice photo of past and present there Dennis

[designeraccd]

Very much past, but "shock proof"....old Ironsides, the U.S.S. CONSTITUTION!

Back to current Italian ships; more on FREMM design.

"Country of origin Italy
Entered service 2013
Crew (general purpose variant) 199 men
Crew (ASW variant) 201 men
Sea endurance ?
Dimensions and displacement
Length 144.6 m
Beam 19.7 m
Draught 8.7 m
Displacement, standard ?
Displacement, full load 6 900 tons
Propulsion and speed
Speed 29 knots
Range 12 300 km at 15 knots
Propulsion CODLAG propulsion with single gas turbine (42 900 shp), 2 x electric motors (2.5 MW) and 4 diesel generators
Airwing
Helicopters 2 x NH90 or AW101
Armament
Artillery (general purpose variant) 1 x 127 mm, 1 x 76 mm
Artillery (ASW variant) 2 x 76 mm
Missiles 16-cell VLS for Aster-15 and Aster-30 air defense missiles, 4 x OTOMAT anti-ship missiles (GP variant), 4 x MILAS anti-submarine missiles (ASW variant)
Torpedoes 2 x triple launchers for MU90 lightweight torpedoes



The Italian Carlo Bergamini class warships were developed as a part of Franco-Italian FREMM multi-mission frigate program. Even though resulting Italian Carlo Bergamini class and French Aquitaine class ships look different, they use many common subsystems. The Carlo Bergamini class bears strong resemblance with the Horizon class, which was another joint Franco-Italian program.

These Italian Carlo Bergamini class warships are clearly destroyers, but being called frigates for political reasons. These vessels are larger than the French Aquitaine class ships.

There are two variants of the Carlo Bergamini class. One of them are general purpose destroyers, that are equally good at all aspects of naval warfare, while the other ships are optimized for anti-submarine warfare role. These have enhanced submarine hunting capabilities, but at a cost of reduced land attack and anti-ship capabilities.

Italy has ordered six of these warships."

Sure looks and sounds like a current, well balanced design; hopefully shock proof, too! NOT a design dedicated to basically useless hi-speed, but rather a balance of useful attributes. They include, of course, today's modern "style" touches to minimize radar cross section. DFO

[ivorthediver]

Well Dennis it has to be said that she has nice lines , even though they are all beginning to look the same and have adopted the same basic format , and along with that each type will have both its strengths and weaknesses , and like most she has variable pitch props I note .

In the right hands a capable craft

[designeraccd]

We should also take note of their newest CVL, the CAVOUR, currently basing helos and Harriers. DFO

[ivorthediver]

Excellent clear photo's Dennis thanks , looks a bit like a Gouda cheese with all those apertures though

[designeraccd]

She has entered Taranto for a "extended refit". That's the latest!! DFO

[Brian James]

ITS Cavour....2018.

[designeraccd]

Even newer, the TRIESTE. DFO

[ivorthediver]

Thanks Dennis but where's the rest of it or are they still building it