The
Maestrale class frigates primary task is Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW),
however their weapons and systems provides them with a high degree of
flexibility which makes them capable warships in Anti-Surface (ASuW)
and Anti-Air (AAW) warfare roles.
All eight vessels of the class were built by Fincantieri S.p. A, Riva
Trigoso, except for Grecale, which was built by Fincantieri S.p.A. -
Muggiano, La Spezia.
Shiplist
Name
Operator
Hull
Number
Laid
Down
Commissioned
Maestrale
Italian
Navy
F570
03/1978
03/1982
Grecale
Italian
Navy
F571
03/1979
02/1983
Libeccio
Italian
Navy
F572
08/1979
02/1983
Scirocco
Italian
Navy
F573
02/1980
09/1983
Aliseo
Italian
Navy
F574
02/1980
09/1983
Euro
Italian
Navy
F575
04/1981
04/1984
Espero
Italian
Navy
F576
08/1982
05/1985
Zeffiro
Italian
Navy
F577
03/1983
05/1985
Two vessels from
the class will be modernized and transfered to the Philippine Navy in
2013 following a deal to be signed in 2012.
Variants
-
Philippine Navy Deep Water Patrol Vessel: On 2 August
2012 it was announcement that the Philippine government entered negotiations
with the Italian government for purchase of two Maestrale class frigates
for the Philippine Navy Deep Water Patrol Vessel. The vessels will undergo
refurbishing and likely see their systems and weapons upgraded and modernized
before being transfered.
The
subdivision of the hull is made up of fifteen watertight compartments
and the buoyancy is ensured even with three adjacent compartments flooded.
The platform stability is ensured by a pair of fixed stabilizing fins
able to reduce roll from 30 ° to 3 ° at a speed of 18 knots.
The design is an enlarged version of the Lupo, with better sea going
capabilities and hangar space for two helicopters at the expense of
four antiship missiles and a lower maximum speed.
Many solutions have been applied for vibration and noise reduction to
reduce noise radiated into the sea in order which is essential for an
ASW class of vessel.
Weapons
Anti-air missiles:
1x 8 round SAM launcher (24x Aspide missiles)
Anti-ship missiles:
4x Teseo Mk2 (Otomat)
Guns:
1x 127-mm 54-cal. OTO Melara DP (main gun)
2x 40mm Oto Melara Dardo Twin 40L70
Combat
Management and Information Systems:
Selex Sistemi Intergrati SADOC-2 (IPN-20) Command, surveillance and
weapon control systems
Optronics:
1x Galileo OG-30A
2x MM 59 (for Dardo)
Radars:
1x RAN-10S/SPS-774 surface and air surveillance radar
1x SMA SPS-702 surface search radar
1x SMA SPN-703 navigation radar
1x SPG-75 Fire control system
2x SPG-74 Fire control system (for Dardo)
Sonars: 1x Raytheon DE 1164 hull-mounted MF
1x Raytheon DE 1164 Variable Depth Sonar
Decoys/Counter
measures/Jammers:
2 x 20-round SCLAR decoy RL (Dagaie on Grecale)
1x SLQ-25 Nixie towed acoustic torpedo decoy system
1x SLR-4 Newton Intercept
2x SLQ-D jammers
1x ARBG-1A Saigon radio interceptor
Prairie/Masker air-bubbler noise-suppression system
Communications: -
Engines/Propulsion
2x CODOG GE/Avio General Electric LM2500 gas turbines (50,000 bhp total)
2x 5-bladed propellers
2x D Grandi Motori Trieste BL-230-20-DVM diesel alternators
050729-N-0413R-069
Persian Gulf (July 29, 2005) - The Italian frigate, ITS Libeccio (F 572), sails along side the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during routine operations. The Nimitz Strike Group is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment and participating in Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material. U.S. Navy photo by PhotographerÕs Mate 3rd Class Shannon E. Renfroe (RELEASED)
