Audace class destroyer

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The Audace class destroyers were two guided missile destroyers built for the Italian Navy during the Cold War. Both ships have recently been decommissioned[1]. These ships were designed for area air defence and also had a heavy gun armament. They were fitted with contemporary American radars and sonars and underwent an extensive modernisation in 1988-89.

[edit] General characteristics

From Conway's all the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995

• Displacement: 3,600 tons standard, 4,400 tons full load
• Length: 136.6 m
• Beam: 14.4 m
• Draught: 4.6 m
• Machinery: 2 shaft geared steam turbines, 4 Foster Wheeler boilers, 73,000 hp
• Speed: 33 knots
• Range: 3,000 nm at 20 knots
• Armament (as Built)
  • 1 - Tartar SAM launcher
  • 2 - 127mm guns (2x1)
  • 4 - Otobreda 76 mm guns
  • 4 - 533mm torpedo tubes
  • 6 - 324mm torpedo tubes
• Armament (post modernisation)
  • 1 - Standard SAM launcher
  • 1 - octuple Aspide SAM missile launcher
  • 1 - 127mm gun
  • 4 - Otobreda 76 mm guns
  • 6 - 324mm torpedo tubes
• Aicraft - 2 helicopters
• Crew :380

[edit] Ships

• Audace (D551). Built by CNR of Riva Trigoso, launched 2 October 1971, completed 16 November 1972
• Ardito (D550). Built by Castellamare di Stabia yard, launched 27 November 1971, completed 5 December 1972