De la Penne class destroyer

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The De la Penne class destroyers are two guided missile destroyers operated by the Italian Navy. The design is an updated version of the Audace class destroyers but these ships are larger, have CODOG machinery and modern sensors. Initially four ships were planned but the second pair were cancelled as Italy had decided to join the Horizon project.

[edit] General characteristics

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

Displacement: 4,500 tons standard, 5,400 tons full load
Length: 147.7 m
Beam: 16.1 m
Draught: 5 m
Machinery: 2 shaft CODOG
- 2 LM-2500 gas turbines, 55,000 hp
- 2 Diesels, 12,600 hp
Speed: 31.5 knots (21 knots diesel only)
Range: 7,000 nautical miles at 18 knots
Armament:
- 1 - Standard SAM launcher
- 1 - octuple Aspide SAM missile launcher
- 8 Otomat SSM
- 1 - Otobreda 127 mm gun
- 3 - Otobreda 76 mm guns
- 6 - 324 mm torpedo tubes
Aircraft - 2 helicopters
Crew: 400

[edit] Ships

Luigi Durand De La Penne (D560, formerly Animoso). Named after Luigi Durand De La Penne, Built by Fincantieri. Launched 29 October 1989, completed December 1993.
Francesco Mimbelli (D561, formerly Ardimentoso). Named after Francesco Mimbelli, Built by Fincantieri. Launched 13 April 1991, completed December 1993.