The renewal of the Italian Navy Fleet in the

The renewal of the Italian Navy Fleet in the 2010-2020 time-frame R. Adm. Stefano Tortora, It Navy Head of New Constructions Department Directorate of Naval Armaments (NAVARM) ABSTRACT: The strategic vision of the Italian Navy envisages that the Naval assets shall be able to wield an effective action to protect and endorse national interests in the so called “Wider Mediterranean” area. The Naval assets shall be projectable at global level by the interaction with International Organizations and the Maritime community. The two pillars that support this policy are: the Integrated Maritime Surveillance and the projection of assets on the sea and from the sea. To carry out the above mentioned strategic duties (surveillance and projection), the Navy is undergoing a thorough renewal/upgrading of its assets through the development of several programmes in the short to medium term.: Commissioning in 2010 of the Cavour Aircraft Carrier; Commissioningin 2009 – 2010 of the 2 Orizzonte Class AAW Frigates, equipped with the PAAMS missile system, developed and built in the frame of the Orizzonte programme with the French Navy; Replacement of the Maestrale and Soldati Classes Frigates with 10 Bergamini new generation Frigates in 2012 – 2022. The Frigates will be built in ASW (4) and in GP (6) configurations, and have been developed in co-operation with France. The programme is managed by OCCAR; Acquisition of 2 U212A Class Submarines in 2016 – 2018, in addition to the already operational Todaro and Scirè. The total number of four is deemed to be appropriate given the extremely advanced performances and reliability of the Submarines; Gradual replacement of the existing LPD Units with 3 new LHD Units with the first Unit due to be commissioned by 2018. These Units shall provide improved assets projectability in any environmental conditions and shall be able to perform the following main tasks: ⇒ Support to amphibious operations (demonstration, raid, assault, withdrawal, etc.) ⇒ Crisis response operations ⇒ Non-combatant evacuation operations ⇒ Humanitarian assistance and support in case of natural disasters. The Navy also foresees the replacement of the 2 Fleet Tankers with 2 Logistic Support Ships, the replacement of the Minehunters, the gradual replacement of the Corvette/Patrol Vessels and of other minor Units in the near future. The paper does not include the description of other minor support/surveillance vessels, and gives an overview of the possible future evolutionary lines in terms of Vessels (LCS and OPV) and of net-centric capability. I. “Wider Mediterranean” In order to understand the role of the Italian Navy and the principles that drive its evolution, it is necessary to spare a few words on the scenario of naval operations, i.e. the so called “Wider Mediterranean”. Through the centuries, the Mediterranean basin has been the cradle of endless civilisations. The naval supremacy on its waters to control the mercantile traffic has been the reason of endless struggles and fierce battles. None of the Mediterranean coastal countries with regional ambitions have ever underestimated the importance of a strong presence on its waters: the Romans themselves, albeit a primarily “land power”, had to learn how to fight at sea to defeat Hannibal’s Chartago. In spite of representing only 1% of the total sea surface, the Mediterranean sea-ways have a central role in the dynamics of global economy and trade. On the Mediterranean coasts there are 80 ports of international relevance, through which transit 350 million passengers and 29 million TEU every year (2004). These figures are expected to increase by 75% by 2015. The basin is also characterised by the transfer, by means of ships and pipelines, of 65% of the European Union’s total oil and gas demand. Significantly, this accounts for around 20% of the world oil traffic. Another peculiarity of this sea is the staggering difference between the economies of European and North African countries which are particularly notable in the western area. These differences are reflected in the lifestyle of their citizens who are spread around 3 continents and are characterised by a non-homogeneous distribution of natural and energy sources, as well as by different economic and demographic growth perspectives. The social, human and geo-strategic implications of the Mediterranean as the connecting element of a region with a population estimated at 500 million by 2010 are self evident. Although the focus of international crises seems to have moved to the East, in the 1990s the international community has felt the need to qualify the central role of the Mediterranean by introducing the geopolitical concept of “Wider Mediterranean”. It includes the Black Sea, the Caucasus and Central Asia Regions to the East and the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to the South-East. It is a “geopolitical theatre that includes contiguous but non-homogeneous 1 2 areas of vital importance at international level” . It is here that “glocal” interests meet and conflict: “global”, because the Suez Canal is the most important in the world and keeping it open is vital, “local” because of the licit and illicit traffic between its coasts. In this light, the Mediterranean Sea is a “European Lake”. With 8,000 kilometres of coastline, Italy is strategically placed at the centre of a sea basin that has historically played a key role in the development of relationships, civilisations and cultures. Today 64% of Italian imports and 46% of exports travel by sea and the whole maritime cluster – which includes tourism, fishery, transportation, shipbuilding and pleasure boat industry – consistently contribute to sustain the Italian economy. The operational profile of the Navy foresees three complementary levels of co-operation, coordination and integration: Co-operation, at national and transnational level, with appropriate “confidence-building” measures; Co-ordination of the most appropriate assets, at a national level and in the wider international Alliances and regional organizations context; Integration of the forces, including “information” assets and the resources available in the different Agencies and Bodies involved under some capacity in the security of the maritime areas. The overarching ideals that inspire the relevant legislation, the Directives of the Ministry of Defence and the strategic concept of the Chief Defence Staff are “dialog” evolving into “participation” and “co-operation” as well as the concept of “security” to replace “defence”, thereby giving security a subjective dimension, by making the governments and the populations “feel” secure. These ideals form the basis of the strategic view of the Navy, coherent with the most advanced maritime thinking and centered on two fundamental pillars: 1 2 Dott.ssa Valeria di Cecco, “Un Grande Medio Oriente o un Mediterraneo Allargato”, Informazioni Difesa The definition “glocal” was given by Prof. Politi at a conference on 27th Feb. 2007. - firstly, the capacity to carry out an Integrated Maritime Surveillance, to be achieved with an inter-ministerial and inter-agency approach; secondly, the projection of capabilities “on the sea” and “from the sea”, providing the Naval Forces with the capacity to operate with adequate assets, where necessary and in a timely manner. These are the tasks that the Italian Navy is committed to carry out: our technical and operational choices are expected to give an answer in terms of “hardware” and “software” tools to these requests, thereby making the best use of the ever-diminishing economical resources. II. Naval Forces 1) Aircraft Carrier The Aircraft Carrier Garibaldi, commissioned in 1985, is today a key element of our power projection capability. Besides its capability to employ fixed and rotary wing aircraft to support operations at sea and from the sea, she has an advanced C4I suite that provides Command and Control capabilities to maritime deployable headquarters. The development of a new Carrier, which was undertaken a few years ago, was the single most important naval programme that the Italian Navy has engaged in since World War 2. The ship was christened “Cavour” in July 2004 and it will be operational by April 2009 (with the platform having been delivered on 27th March 2008). She replaces the Garibaldi, that will be employed in the role of Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) until the new LHA is built and commissioned. The 134 m long, 21 m wide, 2,500 m² hangar space of the Cavour can be used as a vehicle hold capable of holding up to 24 main battle tanks or many more lighter vehicles (50 Dardo IFV, 100+ Iveco LMV), and is fitted with an aft access ramps rated to 70 tons, as well as two aircraft elevators rated up to 30 tons. The main features of this new unit are: enhanced command and control capabilities up to JHQ level (accommodation for up to 140 staff); garage/hangar capable of hosting aircrafts, helos and landing force vehicles; transportation of about 400 landing force personnel. As of today, the air component includes 17 AV-8b plus, that can perform a wide variety of roles (air defence, close air support, naval strike, recce and land attack), and that will be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter starting in 2014. Cavour can also operate as Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH), accommodating heavy transport helicopters (EH101) and about 400 marines. The propulsion plant is based on four GE/AVIO LM 2500 Gas Turbines, rated at 22 MW, in a conventional configuration, with FCPP propellers (Featherable Controllable Pitch Propellers). The electric plant has a total installed power of 17,6 MW and includes two shaft generators. The platform automation is very advanced and the safe conduct of the different plants is assured with a relatively reduced number of personnel. Passive Safety, i.e. the capacity of the ship to face floodings and fires, is managed by making the best use of the most recent innovations in the military and commercial fields, both nationally and internationally, particularly with an eye to the way safety is managed on the large Cruise Ships. The ship is divided into seven safety zones, and is fitted with a surveillance system that supports the decision-making process in emergency situations. Great care has been devoted to the food cycle and the proper management of liquid and solid waste, as well as to the design of crew accommodation and living areas, both in terms of available spaces and outfittings. All the crew at officer or non-commissioned officer rank have single or double berth cabins, with common living areas reserved only for embarked landing force personnel or for temporary accommodation. From the onset of the project the most advanced concepts of “Design to Support” and “Integrated Logistic Support” have been applied, in order to ease maintenance and to minimize the Life Cycle Cost of the ship. Aircraft Carrier “CAVOUR” 26.500 tons displacement; 244m length 39m beam 88.000 kw 30 n speed 20 aircrafts 451 crew + 203 flight personnell - SAAM IT and Davide 76/62 Inner Layer Defence Systems The very satisfactory results achieved with the Cavour in terms of design and built, which have been confirmed by sea trials and activities carried out so far, are the best demonstration of the capacity of the IT Navy and the Italian Defence Industry to work together to achieve world-class results. 2) Air Defence Destroyers The Air Defence of the Naval Group is, as of today, granted by the two “De La Penne” class Destroyers commissioned in 1993. Two new ships, developed in collaboration with France under the Orizzonte programme, will replace the two Audace class Destroyers decommissioned after over 30 years of operational life (2005). The Orizzonte Class includes the Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio for Italy and Forbin and Chevalier Paul for France. The missile system (PAAMS, Principal Anti Air Missile System) is the core of the Combat System and is the result of a tripartite collaboration between Italy, France and the UK (ITFR make use of the EMPAR radar, the UK version adopts the SAMPSON radar). The fundamental principle that animated the Orizzonte community during the design phase was “no national variants”, in order to avoid the multiple national deviations from the unique design that were probably the main reason of the failure of the NFR90 (NATO Frigate) in the 1990s. In actual facts, the French and Italian ships bear striking similarities, and are being built with a compact and regularly inter-spaced program, allowing a gap of only six months between two following units. In addition, bi-national teams have been working on the development of the combat system (CMS, Combat Management System) which is the most significant of the so-called “FDI”, Full Development Items. Software development is being carried out at two SWIP (Software Integration Platform) sites in Roma and Toulon. Software integration has been devolved to SIF (Shore Integration Facility) in Toulon, with a full outfit of components reproducing the entire shipborne combat system. As far as the development of the Long Range Radar (LRR) is concerned, the first radar was fully operational at the SIF in Toulon to support the integration and testing of the combat system. The integration process of the Orizzonte-type Destroyers poses a real challenge, with a number of “first time” equipments: LRR, the Anti-Torpedo Defence System, the EW System, the ASTER-30, the brand-new anti-ship missiles, the MU-90 lightweight torpedo, the NFH-90 helicopter, and last but not least, the PAAMS itself. Although these ships are mainly dedicated to air-defence and command tasks, they are also fitted with a good ASW suite. This includes a Thales 4110CL bow-mounted medium frequency sonar, with a passive towed array for torpedo detection that is part of the SLAT torpedo-defence system, which has been also jointly developed by the two countries; SLAT also includes two decoy launchers. Two fixed launchers for MU-90 lightweight torpedoes with automatic reloading and one helicopter complete the ASW suite. The French helicopter is a NH-90, while the Italian ships are able to operate either an NH-90 or a heavier EH-101. The armament also includes eight anti-ship missiles (Exocet Mk3 for France and Teseo Mk2 BlockIV for Italy) with enhanced capabilities to engage targets in the challenging littoral environment. Self defence against small boats is provided by two locally operated guns, 25mm for Italy and 20mm for France. The propulsion CODOG plant is genuinely Franco-Italian, with the LM2500 gas turbines and the Isotta Fraschini diesel-generator sets being provided by Italy and the SEMT Pielstick main engines, the reduction gears and the Platform Management System by France. During the sea trials a 31 knot speed was reached, though at full load and in operational conditions the contractual speed is 29 knots. Andrea Doria will be the first Italian ship to be commissioned (within the first half of 2009, platform delivered in December 2007). It is planned that the second ship will commissioned 12 months later. “Caio Duilio”, Orizzonte Class 3) Frigates The antisom naval component includes 8 “Maestrale” Class Frigates, commissioned in the early ’80s. All units have recently undergone a major refitting to keep their full operational capabilities until approximately 2012, when a new line of general purpose and ASW Frigates, nicknamed FREMM, developed together with France, are expected to replace both “Maestrale” and “Lupo” class. As for Italy, the co-operation Programme still foresees the acquisition of a total of 10 Frigates, of which 6 in “General Purpose” configuration (i.e. with enhanced operational flexibility) and 4 in “ASW” configuration. The French need was originally for 17 ships, and therefore the total number of ships to be built was 27, making the FREMM the most significant European Naval programme ever. So far, six Frigates have been ordered for Italy and eight for France. The prime contractors for the FREMM programme are Armaris of France and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali of Italy. In November 2005, the Organisation Conjoint de Cooperation en matière d'Armement (OCCAR) awarded the French companies DCN and Thales and the Italian companies Fincantieri and Finmeccanica the first FREMM development and build contracts, to include the Initial Logistic displacement 7.100 t p.c. lenght 152 m beam 20 m Prop. plant 48.600 kW Speed 29 n 1 EH–101 o NH–90 helo PAAMS missile system (48 Aster 15/30) 8 S/S missiles 2 torpedo tubes for MU–90 3 x 76/62 guns complement 215 Support. In May 2006, OCCAR awarded the contract for the first two Italian FREMM Frigates. Italy ordered a second batch of four in February 2008, three of which are to be devolved to antisubmarine warfare (ASW). The steels of the first italian FREMM have been cut in mid 2007, and the ships will be commissioned in Italy in the period 2012-2021 with the name of “Bergamini Class”, the first of class called Carlo Bergamini, the second Carlo Margottini. “Bergamini Class” FREMM Frigates displacement 5.500 t lenght 128 m beam 20 m Prop. plant 36.750 kW Speed 28 n NH–90/EH 101 helos 2 twin torpedo tubes for MU–90 1 76/62 gun - 1 127/54 gun (GP) 2 76/62 guns (ASW) Aster 15 missiles (SAAM IT) complement 124 - FREMM design principles The Frigates are designed and manufactured under the “RINAMIL” rules, written by the Navy and the Italian Register (RiNA) to take the maximum advantage from the commercial practice in shipbuilding without loosing the specificity of the Naval constructions. The Frigates layout has been designed to provide sufficient space for operational effectiveness, maintainability and sustained upgrades. The layout incorporates increased headroom between decks, deeper and longer engine compartments and larger equipment pathways for access and maintenance. For quayside maintenance, the Frigate is fitted with an aftside door for loading and unloading equipment, load handling equipment and a wide lower deck passageway. The consoles on the integrated bridge are meant to command and control all functions, including navigation, steering and communications. The bridge also allows operators to manage and control all the platform systems, to monitor safety and security and to co-ordinate other operations. Human Factors considerations, ergonomy, active and passive safety, compliance with all the most demanding present and foreseeable environmental International Rules were the foundations of the FREMM design. For the platform, a “design to support” approach has been adopted with the Navy putting pressure on the designers to achieve a “state of the art” diagnostic system for all the most relevant plants and to liaise with the manufacturers in order to develop a Condition Based Maintenance tool, based on the “Best Practice”, capable of growing through the exploitation of the field feed-backs. FREMM Combat System The Italian Frigates will be armed with the SAAM Aster 15 missile system for air-defence capability and also Teseo Mk 2 (export version: Otomat Mk 2) sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, both supplied by MBDA. Teseo Mk 2 uses command updated inertial guidance and has a range of up to 55km. A possible evolution of the SAAM towards an “Extended Self Defence” coverage is also under evaluation. The Frigates will be equipped with MBDA's Milas all-weather anti-submarine warfare weapon system. Milas, a derivative of Otomat Mark 2, carries and releases a lightweight torpedo similar to an MU-90 close to the designated hostile submarine. The submarine's position is indicated by the ship's sonar or by other assets such as an ASW helicopter or a maritime patrol aircraft. The vessel's sonar suite includes Thales Type 4110 hull-mounted sonar. The three anti-submarine warfare vessels will also be equipped with Thales Type 4929 active very-low-frequency towed array sonars. The EMPAR G-band multifunction phased array radar from Selex Sistemi Integrati will be the fire control radar for the missile systems. The vessel's Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system is the Galileo Avionica SASS (Silent Acquisition Surveillance System). The guns will be an OTO Melara 76/62 Davide ILDS system and an OTO Melara 127/64 Vulcano (extended range) for the General Purpose and two 76/62 Davide ILDS for the ASW. The Italian ships are fitted with two hangars, of which the main one can recover a heavy helicopter (EH 101) and is served by a TC ASIST fully automatic securing and traversing system (by INDALL). The secondary hangar can receive a medium weight helicopter (NH 90) and will be equipped with a traversing system. The ship will be able to perform the role of “Commander of Task Group”. FREMM Propulsion/Platform Both the French and the Italian Frigates are equipped with a single gas turbine driving two shafts through an interconnected reduction gear. The propellers are FCPP (featherable controllable pitch propellers) on the IT ships. In March 2006, Avio of Italy was awarded the contract to supply the FREMM power plant for both countries, i.e. the LM2500+G4 gas turbine, licensed-built from General Electric which will provide 32MW power. The maximum speed is 27kt. For quiet anti-submarine operations the shafts are driven by electric motors (that can operate as shaft-generators on the IT ships); the Frigates speed in ASW silent mode is up to 15kt. Electricity, for both ship use and propulsion, is provided on the Italian ships by four Isotta Fraschini gen-sets, each rated at 2.1 MW. An azimuth thruster provides precision manoeuvring for quayside and harbour operations, station keeping and can operate as a back-up emergency take-home propulsion system. The FREMM project provides an opportunity for the Italian Navy to experience advanced concepts for the propulsion and energy distribution on board a combatant ship. It will be possible to evaluate the expected advantages and to acquire experience in the operation of reversible Electric Propulsion Motors. It represents the first step towards the possibility of implementing the AES (All Electric Ship) concept in forthcoming Italian combatant and non-combatant ships. 4) Landing Platform Dock (LPD) The amphibious component is based on 3 LPDs: 2 “San Giorgio” class plus 1 “San Giusto”. Each one can transport and deploy up to 300 men and their vehicles. San Giorgio and San Marco have completed a substantial refurbishing, mainly aimed at enhancing their helo assault and helo support potential. The planned increased dimension of the Landing Force requires greater amphibious capabilities, and the Italian Navy is moving in this direction with the new aircraft carrier (Cavour) and the new amphibious/command ships (LHD), which will also provide suitable disaster relief platforms. Recently the Navy has carried out a deep analysis of the operational capabilities to be acquired with the new LHD ships, starting from the evaluation of the threat, the operational scenario and the missions to accomplish and finishing with the definition of the functions to be performed. Future threats, to be properly countervailed, need effective and timely capabilities of prevention and intervention, even at long distances from the homeland. It is fully understood and widely accepted that military contribution to common security cannot rely only on the capability to perform homeland surveillance and defence, but it must also be able to implement proactive measures aimed at timely denying the enemies capabilities. Sea projection capability for future joint operations, both in national environments and multinational coalitions, is perceived as essential: this concept has received its most convincing confirmation in the summer of 2006, when the Italian Navy carried out multiple interventions in the waters of Lebanon that culminated, in the aftermath of the United Nations’ resolution n. 1701, with the projection of a Task Group led by ITS Garibaldi and including the three LPDs, that landed a joint contingent of 1.000 men. Furthermore the Maritime Task Force implemented a surveillance and control system which concurred to remove the Israelian embargo on the Lebanese maritime trades. The Italian Navy’s effort continues, under the aegis of Unifil 2, with the participation of a European Naval Group made up of French, German, Greek and Turkish ships integrated in the Euromarfor Task Group. 5) Patrol Forces Long range presence and surveillance are mainly carried out by the 4 “Soldati” class fleet patrol vessels. A very favourable cost-effectiveness ratio is the main characteristic of the 8 “Minerva” class corvettes and of the 4 “Cassiopea” class patrol vessels, mainly deployed in the Strait of Sicily. Cassiopea class patrol vessels are also fitted with enhanced anti-pollution capability. In the future, the Navy foresees the progressive replacement of today’s second line Units with 12 new generation patrol vessels, with a displacement around 3.000 t, a speed in excess of 30 n and enhanced range, sea-keeping and operational flexibility characteristics. To upgrade this line of combatant vessels, 4 “Cigala Fulgosi” class plus 2 “Sirio” class new patrol vessels with 1500 tons displacement have been recently commissioned. “Comandanti” and “Sirio” Class Patrol vessels • • • • • • • • • Lenght 88,6 m Beam 10,2 m displacement 1,580 tons speed 25 kts propulsion 2 x Wartsila W18-v-26 XN, 2 x 6,480 kW Speed 26 n Range 3,500 nm at 14 n Endurance 10 d.a.s. Crew 60 Weapon System • OTO Melara 76/62 SR • 2X OTO Breda Oerlikon 25/80 • Helo AB 212 (or NH 90) These vessels have a hull shape optimized to improve the performances in terms of sea-keeping and reduced drag. The hull and the superstructures are built making use of a high-yield steel, with the fourth of the Class enhanced by the superstructures in composite GRP. The carefully studied design of the hull of the superstructures and of the mast witness the quest for all the technical solutions to reduce the thermal and electromagnetic signatures (“stealth concept”). These features allow the Cigala and Sirio Class vessels to carry out different tasks, spanning from patrolling to merchant traffic and illegal immigration control. For their size and light armament these are the ideal vessels to be deployed in international exercises involving the Navies of the Mediterranean dialog. III Naval Aviation 1) The JSF The Joint Strike Fighter, produced by Lockheed Martin, has been selected by the Italian Navy as the aircraft that will replace, the AV8-B Plus fleet starting from 2014. Our forces demand an affordable, multi-mission aircraft with improved mission flexibility, effectiveness, sustainability and mobility. The JSF encompasses all of these characteristics and is able to participate in a wide variety of military scenarios ranging from major intensity wars to peace support operations. The programme, which is still in its production phase, will produce three different aircraft versions: carrier variant (CV), conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) and short take off and vertical landing (STOVL), with the latter being the choice of the Italian Navy. Today: AV-8B Plus From 2014: Joint Strike Fighter 2) Maritime Air Patrolling Components Thanks to their extended surface and sub-surface surveillance capabilities, maritime patrol aircrafts are a key player in Integrated Maritime Surveillance. The maritime patrol air component is under organic command of the Italian Air Force, whilst operational control stays with the Navy and crews include navy and air force personnel. Starting from 2010/2012, the line of Atlantique aircraft will end its operational life. Several options to replace them are currently been evaluated, pending budget availability. Until 2012: Breguet Atlantique 3) Helo Component ATR Medium Range Patrol Aircraft Presence and surveillance duties are also being performed by our medium and light helo component, thereby extending naval forces’ capabilities. All our naval surface, with the exception of Corvettes units, are helo capable,. The Italian Navy is undergoing a transformation, characterized by the presence of an ageing fleet of AB 212 and Sea Kings, with the newly acquired helicopters EH 101 being phased in simultaneously. EH101 is a medium-heavy multi role helicopter in the 14 tons class, developed as a joint Anglo-Italian programme to replace the Sea King fleet. The acquisition programme started in 2001 (first delivery) and includes 3 different batches of aircrafts, in 3 different configurations, for a total of 22 helicopters (ASW, ASUW/EW, ASH). The AB 212 will be replaced by the NH-90, an 11 ton helicopter, starting from 2009. IV Submarine Forces 1) The U212 The submarine component is mainly employed in covert surveillance and intelligence gathering missions for information data collection. The Navy currently relies on 6 submarines: - 4 “Sauro” class submarines, that recently completed a major upgrade of the combat system to extend their operational life; - 2 “Todaro” class submarines based on the U212A, a co-operation programme with Germany. For the future, two further U-212A submarines are planned to replace the older Sauro class by 2015/2016. U212 General Design Characteristics The boat is designed in accordance with the most advanced criteria. Low detection probability is achieved by a balanced reduction of the acoustic, magnetic, IR, radar and optical signatures as well as by a reduction of the sonar target strength to a measure acceptable from an operational point of view. The following are part of the design features that ensure low detection probability: ⇒ use of a hybrid propulsion with fuel cells to increase air-independent operation; ⇒ implementation of a careful design and devices meant to reduce target source level, target strength and self-noise level; ⇒ non-magnetic design with a low leakage field; ⇒ implementation of the concept of "closed boat" to avoid waste heat dissipation to the surroundings, and ⇒ use of torpedo ejection tubes to reduce torpedo starting noises. The expected combat capacity is achieved by a balanced mix of extensive sensor equipment, a high torpedo load and a powerful command and weapon control system (CWCS). The boat is designed to be fitted with mine-laying equipment. The necessary self-protection is passively ensured by signature reduction and by very high shock resistance. As an active self-protection against approaching torpedoes, decoys with launchers can be retrofitted. Apart from these first level requirements, two other parameters have shaped the boat design: ⇒ the use of a design-to-cost procedure as well as ⇒ the requirement of the user for a displacement of the boat as small as possible. Technical Data approx. 1,500 t approx. 1,700 t approx. 57.00 m 41.08 m 7.06 m 5.68 m (PH frames 8900-25000) 7.00 m (PH frames 27100-46200) approx. 11.7 m (to upper edge conning tower) approx. 6.30 m at 0.5° trim by the stern Water displacement, surfaced: Water displacement, submerged: Length, overall: Length of pressure hull: Width: Inside diameter of pressure hull: Overall height: Draught, surfaced: V MCM Forces The Navy is fully aware of need for a new class of MCM vessels and is planning to build a class of at least ten ships before 2020In the meanwhile, modernization of the existing “Gaeta” class units is underway. Initial studies have been carried out involving both an advanced SES (Surface Effect Ship) design and a more conventional monohull alternative. The latter is currently the preferred option, but the final choice has still to be made. As far as special equipments are concerned, the Navy is working on a research programme centred on a mother MCM controlling a number of small unmanned vessels to perform the mission planned on board the MCM in fully automated mode or in radio controlled mode. The remotely controlled vessels will either tow or carry different sensors and equipment to perform mine detection, mine countermeasures and mine sweeping missions. VI Logistic Support Ships (LSSs) The Italian Navy has three AORs in service, the newest being the Etna which was commissioned in 1998 and is currently fulfilling its fleet support role. Thanks to her large working areas, staff accommodation and comprehensive C2 equipment, the Etna can also serve as a command ship up to MCC level. The two smaller and older ships of the “Stromboli” class will end their operational life by 2015. There is still the need to replace them with two larger LSSs, capable of fulfilling the same comprehensive tasks served by the “Etna” which far exceeds the simple role of a replenishment ship. The Navy is developing the requirements for these ships, using the design of the Etna only as a starting point since important modifications are needed to embrace the new international environmental protection rules. A solution could be a “double hulled” variant of the existing ship, lengthening the hull to keep good load carrying capabilities, without impacting significantly on speed and other performances. The new LSSs will be designed to operate in joint and combined task forces and will support the forces not only by providing technical assistance and command facilities, but also with equipment to transport and assist troops and personnel. VII The future: NNEC (NATO Network Enabled Capability), LCS (Littoral Combat Ship), OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) The naval programmes discussed so far are the “present” and the “next future” of the Italian Navy, but in order to give a wider picture of the underlying strategic thinking and of the expected long term evolution, it is appropriate to make a mention of four major development programmes, namely the NNEC, the LCS, the OPV and the LHD. 1) NNEC In 2002, the Head of State and of Government of the NATO countries met in Prague and decided in favour of a deep transformation of the Alliance, envisaging also the establishment of new capabilities to face the emerging threats to the security of Member States and to the international stability. The achievement of “Information Superiority” was perceived to be one of the most relevant issues, being an asset able to prevent any effective opposition to the operations carried out by the Alliance. The Network Enabled Capability (NEC) is a transformation process enabling the achievement of Information Superiority through the interconnection in a global network of sensors, decision makers, and actuators, namely platforms and weapon systems. The target is to allow the total synergy of military, governmental and non-governmental Agencies, national and multinational, in all the planning, command & control, support and execution phases of the military activities of the Alliance. This capability relies on the timely exchange of protected information using interconnected, interoperable and robust communication networks that allow a fast collection, fusion, analysis, distribution of the information. The principles underlying the NEC can be summarized as follows: - the connection through a network increases the diffusion and sharing of information; - the sharing of information improves the information quality and the “Shared Situation Awareness”; - the “Shared Situation Awareness” facilitates collaboration and synchronization, improving the effort sustainability and the command speed, so that overall - all these factors, jointly, greatly improve the effectiveness of the action. In order to facilitate the achievement of such capability, in 2004 twelve NATO countries financed a feasibility study (NATO NEC Feasibility Study, NNEC FS), that defines a strategy for the development of the future Consultation, Command and Control systems, networks and information support systems the Alliance. The NNEC roadmap envisages the following main steps: - starting in 2008, the introduction of a minimal net-centric functionality within the high operational readiness forces (NFR, NATO Reaction Force). This is the short term objective. - by 2012, the extension of this function to Coalition level (mid term objective), and - by 2020 the implementation of a full net-centric ability as far as interoperability, assets harmonization and general architecture are concerned. This is the long term objective. When tackling the problem of the implementation of a robust communication and information infrastructure, (NII, Networking and Information Infrastructure), the NNEC FS requires that this NII shall be mostly based on national components. The strategy consists in interconnecting the NATO members’ networks and information systems, achieving in such way a single “system of systems” in which the NATO segment might well be a minor component. The roadmap envisages that in 2012 an Initial Operational Capability is achieved of NATO and national segments of the NII. The NATO expectation is that the single Nations make a significant effort for the development of the strategic, tactical and operational segments of the NEC capability, an effort by far more relevant than the one envisages by the Alliance to implement the structure for political consultation and to operate as the driver in the development of the architectures and of the interoperability standards between the countries. It is interesting to highlight the fact that the NNEC study comes to the conclusion that the real challenges that the Alliance shall face are those stemming from non-tangible factors, namely people, processes, operations (i.e., in a strictly military context, doctrine, organization, training, leadership, personnell, frameworks and interoperablity, briefly “DOTLPFI”). The national process started in 2005 with the definition of the strategic framework ini accordance with the NATO guidelines. The net-centric transformation envisages: - the definition of the net-centric transformation “Vision” (document already issued); - - - the process, defined in two documents, “Guidelines for Modelling & Simulation” and “Methodology for the Definition and Development of the Architecture”, of which the former is already issued; the “Governance of the Net-centric Transformation of the Defence”, a document inclusive of the definition of the tasks and responsibilities incidental to harmonization of the operational requirements, of the technical standards and of the interoperability and security requirements of the C4ISTAR area, and the “Development Plan of the National C4ISTAR Component”, that sets the roadmap for transformation and the relevant investment priorities (document issued). The programmes included in the above mentioned Plan are deemed to be of strategic importance, and are part of the building blocks of a “Service Oriented Architecture” (SOA). This SOA is the final target of NATO, and a migration process is ongoing of which the building blocks are in a development phase. The details of the Implementation Plan were approved by the Ministers of Defence during the last Defence Planning Committee in June this year. To stay in line with the developments of this migration process, Italy has ratified with the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) an MOU that shall pave the way to Technical Arrangements for the acquisition of the Technical Support, Hardware and Software necessary for the development of C4ISTAR systems interoperable within the NATO countries. Italy believes that the development of a NATO NEC is of fundamental importance to multiply the return of the investments made by the Defence in communication and information technology. The NNEC is perceived as a primary enabling tool to increase the effectiveness of Italy’s Armed Forces, in the perspective that, in the foreseeable future, they shall be tasked to operate mostly in Coalition Operations outside the territories of the NATO countries. 2) Littoral Combat Ship The littoral is of growing importance for Naval forces, since asymmetric threat remains dramatically relevant. The Italian Navy intends to face the challenge with the acquisition of new ships specifically designed to operate in the “brown waters” but also capable of being deployed far from Italian coastlines. The operational requirement for these units for homeland security and sea control/maritime interdiction is currently under development. The key requirements/criteria will be manoeuvrability and high speed for the platform as well as modularity and integration for the weapon systems with low life-cycle cost of critical importance. The new tentative design already shows some key features: top speed of 30 knots, displacement of approx 2000 tons, surface effect hull to enhance the performances of a Diesel propulsion plant, a flight deck of generous proportions. As far as the Combat System is concerned, extreme modularity will enable the ship to fulfil the typical tasks of mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship role in the alternative, simply by changing the equipments; a basic capability of self-defence will be embedded in all configurations. Great importance will be given to Command&Control systems, to provide effective integration by exchanging data with the Coast Guard, other Services and national agencies, as well as with foreign Navies. The ship will be able to carry out search and rescue as well as environment protection missions. 3) Offshore Patrol Vessel The Italian Navy is planning the acquisition of a new class of low displacement vessels, that can be defined “minor warships”, to replace the “Minerva” corvette class and “Cassiopea” OPV class. The minor warships may be regarded as a new category of naval vessel, able to cover a wide range of roles and missions. The emergence of new tecnologies, and in particular the envisaged extensive use of modular MW systems, namely containerized Unmanned Underwater Vehicles and Mine Laying systems, as well as modular ASW systems (new concept sonars for ASW operations in the littoral brown waters), provides the Shipyards and the Navy with a new potential for the design and production of single common platform, affordable and reconfigurable across these roles. - Mission Profiles: ⇒ mine counter measures (MCM) ⇒ anti surface warfare (ASUW) ⇒ anti submarine warfare (ASW) ⇒ patrol service (presence, surveillance and protection in surroudings waters – patrolling the maritime borders) ⇒ escort duty ⇒ international operations integrated in more complex and powerful Naval Forces ⇒ protection of the National interests in the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone Platform main characteristics: ⇒ displacement ⇒ length o.a. ⇒ beam o.a. ⇒ trial maximum speed ⇒ crew ⇒ accomodation ⇒ endurance 2500-2700 t (full load); 105-115 m; 14-16 m; 30 knots; 80 persons 120 persons 20 days - Helicopter Facility ⇒ fixed hangar ⇒ flight deck for medium and heavy (AB-212, NH90 and EH101) helicopter operations ⇒ refuelling capability ⇒ magazines for ASUW weapons - Platform Design Main Drivers: ⇒ extreme simplicity and reliability to allow a low running cost and crew reduction; ⇒ adoption of advanced technologies to significantly limit RCS and IR signature ⇒ hull built with high yield steel ⇒ use of advanced composite material for the superstructures is to be evaluated ⇒ different solutions studied for the propulsion plant, with preference toward a full diesel solution (CODAD) 4) Landing Helicopter Deck The need for new, more performing LHDs is strongly perceived as one of the higher priorities of the Navy. As far as the operational scenarios are concerned, missions and tasks will be carried out mostly in the proximity of coastal waters and/or in narrow and shallow basins. Threat is considered mostly asymmetrical, deriving from small terrorist groups, equipped with medium-low technology off-the-shelf weapons. Recent events call for the necessity to keep a clear tri-dimensional maritime and coastal picture against a wide spectrum of threats available to the counterpart (i.e. fast boats, explosive pontoons and fishing boats, conventional or improvised naval mines, radio controlled explosive aircraft and vessels, rockets, light artillery, etc.). Less likely, but still possible, threats might be performed by air and naval conventional assets, such as aircraft, frigates and destroyers or submarines. Operational Capabilities The perspective tonnage of the ship is 16.000-17.000, large enough to accommodate 600 marines, plus about 120 crew members and about 130 add-ons for the flight and medical components. On the whole, the accommodation capacity required is 850 berths, with different accommodation standards. It is considered that a low cost active defence systems should be sufficient to provide a limited selfdefence capability to counter fast boats and UAV. It is also required to include passive and active measures in order to ensure the survivability of the ship in case of a mine or torpedo explosion, as well as to adopt torpedo detection or deception systems on board. In principle the ship will be designed and built in accordance with merchant ships regulations and standards, pursuing high reliability and easy maintainability. Although the type of propulsion is not yet defined, it is deemed necessary to be able to maintain a continuous speed of at least 20-22 knots with sea state 3, even though a NATO requirement for this type of unit foresees a speed in excess of 24 knots. The ship shall have an endurance up to 7000 nautical mile at 16 knots. - Macro-function “Amphibious Warfare” The ship shall be able to transport, launch, support and withdraw a Landing Force and the related assets. Therefore, she shall have: ⇒ capability to transport, land and re-embark a CLF Brigade Command Post; ⇒ accommodation for the landing forces for up to 5 combat days; 3 ⇒ capability to launch – through 5 spots – up to 8 helicopters, 6 capable of carrying out a company’s assault operations and 2 capable of close air support; ⇒ capability to recover in hangar up to 5 helicopters; ⇒ capability to launch and recover amphibious personnel and assets (for a total of 1.200 linear meters, equivalent to about 180 vehicles including tanks and armored vehicles) 4 using also the ship’s dock and the 50% of the flight deck ; ⇒ a ship’s dock made of suitable structure to carry 4 LCM (Landing Craft, Mechanized) and to allow vehicle loading and unloading activities of 2 LCM inside the dock simultaneously (the possibility to make the ship interoperable with Landing Craft Air Cushion and/or Partial Air Cushion has to be evaluated); ⇒ a rail trolley system over the dock deck capable to move at least 30 tons of materials; ⇒ adequate flexibility for shipload reshaping (vehicles and materials) also at sea, thanks to rail trolley/moving palette system/supply elevators, foreseeing possible use of the hangar if necessary. Macro-function “Command Control Communications” (C3) The ship will be fitted with a C3 integrated system, including wide-band satellite systems and local area networks for information delivery inside the ship. The possibility to board and operate a Composite Warfare Command tasked as CATF/CLF has to be defined. However, the ship will be provided with adequate C4I capabilities in order to be able to maintain a local air/maritime picture for the co-ordination of the naval and land assets in the operational scenario. Macro-function “Defence” The ship shall be provided with self-defence capability (artillery and machine-guns systems) against asymmetrical threats coming from all the directions and filtered in through the security framework provided by the escort combat ships. Besides, the ship shall have the capability to operate under CBRN threat and, in case of this occurrence, to provide collective defence to personnel and on-board equipments/systems, in order to permit: ⇒ the recovery and reclaiming of personnel and vehicles; ⇒ the manoeuvre of the ship, in safeness, outside the contaminated area. Macro-function “Medical Support” The active role that this ship must be able to play in disaster relief situations is a design constraint of high relevance. As far as the possible missions are concerned, the medical arrangements should 5 be able to ensure at least a “ROLE 2 PLUS” for managing the following events: ⇒ surgical reception and treatment of casualties evacuated from the combat areas; 3 4 5 Two spots will be structured in order to allow, in case of necessity, the take-off/landing of heavy helicopters (until 35 tons), or STOVL aircraft (AV-8B/JSF). Leaving, in this configuration, two spots available for flight operations. NATO document AJP-4.10. ⇒ management of a massive medical emergency (crash on the flight deck, reception of personnel evacuated by another attacked or burnt down ship); ⇒ surgery management of the embarked personnel; ⇒ radiological and laboratory diagnostics, ⇒ routine or emergency medical assistance; ⇒ dental treatment. At least 50 beds for in-patients and an adequate number of beds for intensive/semi-intensive care patients (with at least 15 days autonomy) shall be provided, as well a modern hospital area equipped with a triage reception to select casualties from the battle field and the ships. Telemedicine equipments will be available to increase the treatment capabilities. In order to arrange the above mentioned medical structures, an area of approximately 700 square meters is required. In case of disaster relief event, the ship’s medical capabilities shall be increased through a system of modular medical shelters. In order to meet the requirement specifically related to disaster relief activities, the ship will be equipped with: ⇒ a fresh water desalinization system capable of supplying up to 150 tons per day through pumping pipelines; ⇒ emergency power system to supply shore buildings accommodating up to 1000 people. Landing Helicopter Dock: Length Over All Length Between Perpendicular Beam max Full Load Displacement Corresponding Draft 165,0 m 147,0 m 31,0 m 16.000 t 6,3 m abt. abt. Flight deck height Main Garage Deck height Speed: Range: Accommodation: Command & Control: Flight deck: Helo hangar: Vehicle deck: Hospital area: Floodable dock: Vehicle ramps VIII Conclusion abt. 24,5 m 8,5 m 22 n 7.000 nm at cruise speed up to 900 (150 crew+700 troops) 2 up to 300 m available 5 spots for EH 101 or 7 smaller helos parking area for 5 EH 101 up to 1.200 metric lanes 2 2 700 m + 1.000 m convertible area. 50 x 15 m 1 stern 1 side (60 t) This paper was intended to provide an overview of where the Italian Navy stands today and what it is planning to achieve in the next 10-12 years. In a situation where nobody can see what the future will bring, where the ever-changing threats are often very difficult to tackle with a traditional Naval Force regardless of its power, where peace is often more difficult to “win” than any cruent battle, the key words are “flexibility”, “adaptation”, “change in continuity”, “confidence building” and, last but not least “affordability”. These concept apply both to the “hard power” aspect and to the “soft power”: and it is therefore certainly worth mentioning the initiative that in a certain sense “summarizes” the whole “cooperation effort” of the Italian Navy: the Regional Seapower Symposium of the Mediterranean Navies, organized every other year in Venice since 1996. In 2006 the Symposium has led to the establishment of the Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (VRMTC). The Italian Navy is a strong supporter of the Global Maritime Partnership concept, that envisages a multi-faceted approach to co-operation, involving the whole of the International Maritime Community and focused on the shared target of the safety of the maritime areas; the Venice Symposiums is therefore more and more oriented towards the representation and the evaluation of the global factors that might impact on the mediterranean region. In this light, from the 2006 Navies operating out of the mediterranean area have been invited to participate to the Symposium, thus achieving an extra-regional dimension that was embodied in the leading theme of the 2008 Symposium, “Navies promoting dialog and co-operation in a comprehensive perspective”. This presented the 39 participating Navies and 20 national and international agencies/organizations with a first and possibly unique opportunity to tackle the Maritime Security with a global approach. In brief, the current evolutionary vision of the Italian Navy stems from the following high level guidelines: ACTING NATIONALLY, FOCUSING REGIONALLY, ENVISIONING GLOBALLY.