Italian frigate Libeccio (F 572)

Libeccio (F 572) is the third ship of the Maestrale-class frigate of the Italian Navy.

Libeccio underway in 1980s.
History
Italy
NameLibeccio
NamesakeLibeccio
OperatorItalian Navy
BuilderFincantieri, Riva Trigoso shipyards
Laid down1 August 1979
Launched7 September 1981
Commissioned5 February 1983
IdentificationPennant number: F 572
Motto
  • Paveant turbinem hostes
  • (Fear before the enemies of a whirlwind)
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeMaestrale-class frigate
Displacement3.040 t (2.992 long tons), full load
Length
  • - 122.7 m (403 ft) LOA
  • - 114 m (374 ft) LPP
Beam12.9 m (42 ft)
Draught4.2 m (14 ft)
Propulsion
Speed33 kn (61 km/h; 38 mph) (21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph) on diesel)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement
  • 24 officers
  • 201 sailors
Sensors and
processing systems
  • - 1 × Selenia RAN-10S/SPS-774 surface and air surveillance radar[1]
  • - 1 × Selenia SMA SPS-702 surface search radar[1]
  • - 1 × Selenia SMA SPS-703 navigation radar (then replaced by one GEM Elettronica MM-SPN 753 Arpa)[1]
  • - 1 × Selenia SPG-75 fire control radar[1]
  • - 2 × Selenia SPG-74 fire control radar (for Dardo)[1]
  • - 1 × Raytheon DE 1164, VDS sonar[1]
  • - 1 × Raytheon DE 1160B, hull mounted sonar[1]
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • - (Elettronica Spa MM/SLQ-746[2]) 2 × SLQ-D jammers[1]
  • - 1 × ARBG-1A Saigon radio interceptor[1]
  • - 1 × SLR-4 Newton intercept[1]
  • - 2 × 20-round OTO Melara/Breda SCLAR decoy RL (Dagaie on Grecale)[1]
  • - 1 × AN/SLQ-25 Nixie towed acoustic torpedo system[1]
  • - Prairie/Masker air-bubbler noise-suppression system[1]
Armament
  • - 4 × TESEO Mk-2 anti-ship missiles, double launchers
  • - 1 × Albatross octuple Aspide SAM launchers
  • - 1 × Otobreda 127 mm/54 gun
  • - 2 × Oto Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO CIWS
  • - 2 × Browning HB2B 12.7 mm
  • - 2 × MG 42/59 7.62 mm
  • - 2 × 533 mm torpedo tubes (Whitehead B-516, with Whitehead A-184 torpedoes: then removed)
  • - 2 × 324 mm triple torpedo tubes (Whitehead ILAS-3) with Mk-46 Mod.2 torpedoes
Aircraft carried
  • - flight deck 27 m (89 ft) x 12 m (39 ft) m
  • - 2 x AB-212 helicopters

Development

The Maestrale-class frigates were primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), however the ships are highly flexible so they are also capable of anti-air and anti-surface operations. Ships of this class have been widely used in various international missions, either under NATO or UN flag, and during normal operations of the Italian Navy.

The first of these ships entered in service in early 1982. The rest of the fleet was launched over the next three years. The ships of the Maestrale class will be replaced by the Bergamini class.[3][4]

Construction and career

She was laid down on 1 August 1979 and launched on 7 September 1981 by Fincantieri shipyards. Commissioned on 5 February 1983 with the hull number F 572.

Libeccio underwent modernization in 2007 and again in 2010.

References

  • Ships Marina Militare website
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