Italian Sparviero class hydrofoil-missile NIBBIO P-421 underway |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Fincantieri, Sumitomo |
| Operators: | Marina Militare, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
| Built: | 1973-83 (Italy) , 1991-1995 (Japan) |
| In commission: | 1974-2002? (Italy), 1993-2010 (Japan) |
| Active: | 0 |
| Retired: | 11 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | fast attack craft, hydrofoil |
| Displacement: | 62.5 tons full load |
| Length: | 21.8 metres (24.6 meters on hydrofoil) |
| Beam: | 7 metres (7 meters on hydrofoil) |
| Draught: | 1.9 m |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 46 knots (8 knots diesel) (Italy 40 knots max) |
| Range: | 400 miles at 45 knots (40 knots Italy), 1,200 miles at 8 knots |
| Complement: | 11 (3 officers) (Italy 10 (2 officers)) |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
Countermeasures: Decoys: 2 Loral Hycor Mk 36 SRBOC chaff launchers (Japan only) |
| Armament: |
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The Sparviero class is a Guided Missile Patrol Boat designed for and formerly used by the Italian Navy. The Japanese 1-go class missile boat is an updated version formerly used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). They are the fastest craft in Italian and Japanese naval history. A small hydrofoil, it is capable of traveling at speeds of 46 knots, and is one of the last military hydrofoil types to enter service.
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The Sparviero class fast attack hydrofoil was designed in Italy by Fincantieri located in Muggiano, Italy and based on the US Navy's Tucumcari class hydrofoil. The first of class (Sparviero P 420) was laid down by Alinavi in La Spezia, Italy and commissioned on 15 July 1974. Ultimately 8 of the class were built (P 420-P 426) with the last ship (P 920) built as a private venture by Fincantieri and was not bought by the Italian Navy. All were constructed with aluminium hulls and superstructure. The ships were capable of day running only and contained no sleeping accommodations. Plans to upgrade the engines were postponed, and all of the Italian ships have now been decommissioned.
Three additional Sparviero class were built by Sumitomo in Uraga, Japan with assistance from Fincantieri. Initial plans were to construct up to 12 of the type for use by the JMSDF. The first two were approved in FY90 and both were laid down on 25 March 1991. One more was approved in FY92 and laid down on 8 March 1993. A fourth was asked for but not authorized. Production ended with three vessels produced. Considering the falling popularity of hydrofoil designs in military service (US, Israel, Italy and Russia), this was a surprising design choice for Japan.
Italian ships all decommissioned. The Sparviero class is currently used by the Japanese coastal patrol forces as a fast attack interceptor, and pose a serious threat to any attacker with their high maneuvering speed and long range missile armament.