Alpino-class frigate
 MM Carabiniere (F-581) | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Alpino class |
| Builders: | Cantieri Navali Riuniti (CNR) |
| Operators: |
 Marina Militare |
| Preceded by: | Bergamini class |
| Succeeded by: | Lupo class |
| In service: | 1963-68 |
| In commission: | 1968 -97 |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Retired: | 2 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | |
| Length: | 113.30 m (371 ft 9 in) |
| Beam: | 13.10 m (43 ft 0 in) |
| Draught: | 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: |
|
| Range: | 3,500 nmi (6,500 km; 4,000 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) (diesels) |
| Complement: | 263 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys: | SLQ-D ECM system |
| Armament: |
|
| Aircraft carried: | 2 × AB-204[2] or AB-212ASW[3] helicopters |
| Aviation facilities: | Telescopic hangar for 2 medium helicopters. |
The Alpino class were a group of two frigates built for the Italian Navy during the Cold War.
Design
The design was originally conceived as an enlarged version of the Canopo-class frigates. The design was however changed radically with a CODOG machinery suite comprising gas turbines and diesels. These ships introduced the use of ship-based helicopters and variable depth sonar into the Italian Navy.
The ships underwent significant modernisation in the 1980s with the fitting of new sonar and electronic warfare equipment.
Ships
Initially four ships were planned to be ordered in 1959 to 1961. These ships were to be named Circe, Climene, Perseo and Polluce in honour of the Second World War-era Spica-class torpedo boats of those names. These ships were postponed while the designs were updated and two ships were ordered in 1962. Both vessels were built by CNR in Riva Trigoso and named after types of soldiers and specifically after two Second World War-era Soldati-class destroyers.
| Ship | Pennant Number[1] | Laid down[1] | Launched[1] | Commissioned[1] | Decommissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpino | F580 | 27 February 1963 | 10 June 1967 | 14 January 1968 | 31 March 2006[4] |
| Carabiniere | F581 | 9 January 1965 | 30 September 1967 | 28 April 1968 | 19 November 2008[5] |
The ships were used as auxiliary vessels from the mid-1990s. Carabiniere was used as a trials ship for new missiles (PAAMS) and radar.
References
- Blackman, Raymond V.B. Jane's Fighting Ships 1971–72. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd, 1971. ISBN 0-354-00096-9.
- Gardiner, Roger and Stephen Chumbley. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA, 1995. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
- Moore, John. Jane's Fighting Ships 1985–86. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1985. ISBN 0-7106-0814-4.
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