The Durand de la Penne class destroyers are two guided missile destroyers operated by the Marina Militare, 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.
The ship itself is built to be much more difficult to sink by enemy action than the previous types, with many bulkheads and anti-fire systems. Many of the main communication lines and computers are duplicated, and there is a NBC system for the crew. Stealthness is partially applied, with reduction of RCS, heat, noise and magnetic signatures.
The speed, given by a CODAG system, is high (31knots) but not so high like previous Audace, also because the modern ships seldom needs of speeds over 25 knots (46 km/h). The endurance, automatization and economy are more important, as well the compact design of this power-plant. The powerplant is based on 2 gas turbine General Electric LM-2500, one of the most successful naval turbines, and 2 diesels. One of each are linked with one shaft fitted with a propeller with 5 blades. The entire propulsion system is controlled remotely; no crew is needed in normal situations inside the powerplant section.
As for vulnerability and general characteristics, these ships, while prestigious, were meant a bit smaller than it was needed. In fact, the weapon (and explosives) concentration is very high. In the foredeck, in less than 20 m there are 3 medium caliber guns, with over 200 shells just behind the deck ready for use, surrounding the Aspide system, that has 16 or 24x230 kg missiles just below the deck. The aft superstructure is equally armed, with a gun, 2 helicopters and 40 SM-1/2 missiles (24 tonnes these latter, with over 1 T high-explosive), plus the ASW torpedo stores (several torpedo as Mk 46 or A244), in less than 25 m. Also because of this, the crew, 380, is not so few as in other modern ships: a large crew is absolutely required to control damage or fire.
Although the class is criticized for the small displacement related to their equipment, the previous Audace were even more critical in this side: they were 900t lighter, quite smaller, with a bulky powerplant; however, in the latest update they had the same armament, plus a Super-Rapido gun (4 instead of 3).
A criticism also levied to these ships is the lack of vertical launchers, not purchased by Marina Militare because of financial constraints, choosing instead to modernize the Impavido's launchers for de la Penne new destroyers. So de la Penne are the last and maybe the more powerful of the "conventional missile destroyers". this had a cost, however, not trascurable: 1500mld. Lire for both these ships (1981-1993 program), partially because a large production run could not be afforded by Marina Militare for such big ships (so not economies of scale were obtained).
Weapon systems include a guns battery scattered over all the ship, which helps to make its profile well recognizable. As anti-aircraft equipment, there are 6 weapons, of four different types: Standard SM-1 launcher Mk13, Albatross-Aspide, 1 gun Compatto 127/54 mm, 3 guns Super-Rapid of 76 mm caliber. All these weapons covers all the horizon, giving an air defence able to stop quite heavy attacks, especially from the front, because the majority of these is placed on foredeck.
If the Standard missiles, with their 2 SPG radar are dedicated to the air defence at longer ranges, the rest is a medium-short range weaponry. Having Aspide/Sea Sparrow launchers, these ships are one of the fews that possessed both these systems (standard and Sparrow class missiles). Aspide are very advanced missiles (with monopulse guide from the start of service, 1977), but they are almost identical to Sea Sparrow. In fact, these latter were mass-produced by Alenia before the start of the Aspide, so this experience was a cleary advantage to project such new missiles, but all the systems inside (warhead, guide, engine) were new and much improved respect to the old Sparrow-E, and roughly equal to Sparrow-M, not yet available in 1977. 16 missiles are in the magazines, but a Riva-Calzoni system can load quickly 4 at once in the 8 cell launcher, so these missiles are quickly reloadable (the Sparrow launchers have manual reloading).
The Compatto 127 mm gun is that dismount by Audaces DDG's when Aspide was fitted. It was modernized before its re-utilization on de la Penne.
The OTO Super-Rapido are powerful weapons for its caliber, and despite CIWS defence is normally delegated to smaller calibers, they have mainly this task. They can shoot 120 RPM, 6.3 kg (14 lb) shells with sophisticated fuses, and engage at 6 km (4 mi) even anti-ship missiles. It is claimed by OTO that these guns can engage until 4 missiles before they reaches the ship. In every case, they have whipped the contenders like Dardo 40 mm guns and the new Myriad, 25 mm gatling CIWS (that had not awarded any commercial success), despite its 10.000 rpm. Four RTN-30 radar-optical system controls such weapons, 2 fore and 2 aft, so no all the weapons can shot simultaneously at different targets.
As anti-ship weapons, there are Otomat, missiles with a very long range (180 km or more), with mid-course guide by AB-212s, sea skimmer capability and a 210 kg (463 lb) warhead. They born as Franco-Italian program, but only Italians ordered them (and a dozen other navies as well) while French navy ordered only the national Exocet, despite a much shorter range. The main characteristic of OTOMAT, the long range, ironically, is achieved thanks to Microturbo engine, the main French effort for this missile. The MILAS version, an ASW missile with a light torpedo, was developed for ranges until 40 km (25 mi), but still not acquired by French navy despite the needing to replace the MALAFON missile. 8 missiles are placed at mid-ship, between the two main superstructures.
The aft superstructure has a very concentrated set of weapons (just like foredeck). In the hangar superstructure there are 2 AB-212ASW, 1 Super-Rapido gun, and the 40 missiles of the Mk 13 launcher, probably now utilizing SM-2MR missiles, an eventual big improvement over the original in almost every respect. Standard missiles are capable to attack also naval vessels.
As electronic systems there is a complete suite with dedicated systems for all the tasks. As radar, there 11 different system. There are:
At the time the best non-AEGIS air-defence ships, de la Penne have important roles in Italian navy. Now that Audace are decommissioned, de la Penne will remain the only missile destroyers (and the only ship with area defence-missiles) for some time, until the new Horizon will be operative. Despite they are still quite young ships, it does not seem that they will be updated significatively with new air defence systems. As almost all Italian ships, they were born with a modern and effective armament, but retained the same for all their operative life.
Minor changes are or will are made: the compatibility with one EH101 heavy helicopter or 2 NH90 (enhancing the helicopters capabilities, now still on AB-212s) equipped with new sensors, ASW torpedoes A.290 IMPACT and the Marte Mk 2 anti-ship missile, over the new ASW missiles MILAS, and quite obviously, continuous updates on the computers and electronic systems, that brings much improved performances even if externally there is almost no difference to notice.
Another important improvement will be the adoption of guided ammunition for the guns: Vulcano projectile for 127 mm (5 in), with an extended range of 70–100 km, meant as coastal bombing, is a quantum leap respect the traditional artillery rounds (similar to a new models developed in USA), while DAVIDE (guided) or DART (sabot projectile) will enhance further the already very powerful anti-missile defence of these ships. But there are no plans, currently, to equip them with EMPAR/ASTER missile systems.
General project
The Durand de Le Penne is an escort and combat class ships, able to operate in every combat condition, and especially devised to survive to heavy missile and aircraft attacks. Its construction is made almost totally with steel; the structure is a continuous deck with a stern low and large, to accommodate the helicopter's force. The fore hull is very pointed, with a sea-cutter structure very pronounced. The superstructure blocks are two, relatively low and wide, both with a high, triangular-section, tree for all the electronic. The engines exhausts are on two groups, one for every superstructure: the aft has two exhaust flank to flank, slightly inclined. Then there is the Standard missile system and finally the helicopter's facilities.The ship itself is built to be much more difficult to sink by enemy action than the previous types, with many bulkheads and anti-fire systems. Many of the main communication lines and computers are duplicated, and there is a NBC system for the crew. Stealthness is partially applied, with reduction of RCS, heat, noise and magnetic signatures.
The speed, given by a CODAG system, is high (31knots) but not so high like previous Audace, also because the modern ships seldom needs of speeds over 25 knots (46 km/h). The endurance, automatization and economy are more important, as well the compact design of this power-plant. The powerplant is based on 2 gas turbine General Electric LM-2500, one of the most successful naval turbines, and 2 diesels. One of each are linked with one shaft fitted with a propeller with 5 blades. The entire propulsion system is controlled remotely; no crew is needed in normal situations inside the powerplant section.
As for vulnerability and general characteristics, these ships, while prestigious, were meant a bit smaller than it was needed. In fact, the weapon (and explosives) concentration is very high. In the foredeck, in less than 20 m there are 3 medium caliber guns, with over 200 shells just behind the deck ready for use, surrounding the Aspide system, that has 16 or 24x230 kg missiles just below the deck. The aft superstructure is equally armed, with a gun, 2 helicopters and 40 SM-1/2 missiles (24 tonnes these latter, with over 1 T high-explosive), plus the ASW torpedo stores (several torpedo as Mk 46 or A244), in less than 25 m. Also because of this, the crew, 380, is not so few as in other modern ships: a large crew is absolutely required to control damage or fire.
Although the class is criticized for the small displacement related to their equipment, the previous Audace were even more critical in this side: they were 900t lighter, quite smaller, with a bulky powerplant; however, in the latest update they had the same armament, plus a Super-Rapido gun (4 instead of 3).
A criticism also levied to these ships is the lack of vertical launchers, not purchased by Marina Militare because of financial constraints, choosing instead to modernize the Impavido's launchers for de la Penne new destroyers. So de la Penne are the last and maybe the more powerful of the "conventional missile destroyers". this had a cost, however, not trascurable: 1500mld. Lire for both these ships (1981-1993 program), partially because a large production run could not be afforded by Marina Militare for such big ships (so not economies of scale were obtained).
Weaponry
These ships have an overall shape quite large, low, and aggressive. This is directly related on what they had on board, and the special features of sloped surfaces (as stealth principles).Weapon systems include a guns battery scattered over all the ship, which helps to make its profile well recognizable. As anti-aircraft equipment, there are 6 weapons, of four different types: Standard SM-1 launcher Mk13, Albatross-Aspide, 1 gun Compatto 127/54 mm, 3 guns Super-Rapid of 76 mm caliber. All these weapons covers all the horizon, giving an air defence able to stop quite heavy attacks, especially from the front, because the majority of these is placed on foredeck.
If the Standard missiles, with their 2 SPG radar are dedicated to the air defence at longer ranges, the rest is a medium-short range weaponry. Having Aspide/Sea Sparrow launchers, these ships are one of the fews that possessed both these systems (standard and Sparrow class missiles). Aspide are very advanced missiles (with monopulse guide from the start of service, 1977), but they are almost identical to Sea Sparrow. In fact, these latter were mass-produced by Alenia before the start of the Aspide, so this experience was a cleary advantage to project such new missiles, but all the systems inside (warhead, guide, engine) were new and much improved respect to the old Sparrow-E, and roughly equal to Sparrow-M, not yet available in 1977. 16 missiles are in the magazines, but a Riva-Calzoni system can load quickly 4 at once in the 8 cell launcher, so these missiles are quickly reloadable (the Sparrow launchers have manual reloading).
The Compatto 127 mm gun is that dismount by Audaces DDG's when Aspide was fitted. It was modernized before its re-utilization on de la Penne.
The OTO Super-Rapido are powerful weapons for its caliber, and despite CIWS defence is normally delegated to smaller calibers, they have mainly this task. They can shoot 120 RPM, 6.3 kg (14 lb) shells with sophisticated fuses, and engage at 6 km (4 mi) even anti-ship missiles. It is claimed by OTO that these guns can engage until 4 missiles before they reaches the ship. In every case, they have whipped the contenders like Dardo 40 mm guns and the new Myriad, 25 mm gatling CIWS (that had not awarded any commercial success), despite its 10.000 rpm. Four RTN-30 radar-optical system controls such weapons, 2 fore and 2 aft, so no all the weapons can shot simultaneously at different targets.
As anti-ship weapons, there are Otomat, missiles with a very long range (180 km or more), with mid-course guide by AB-212s, sea skimmer capability and a 210 kg (463 lb) warhead. They born as Franco-Italian program, but only Italians ordered them (and a dozen other navies as well) while French navy ordered only the national Exocet, despite a much shorter range. The main characteristic of OTOMAT, the long range, ironically, is achieved thanks to Microturbo engine, the main French effort for this missile. The MILAS version, an ASW missile with a light torpedo, was developed for ranges until 40 km (25 mi), but still not acquired by French navy despite the needing to replace the MALAFON missile. 8 missiles are placed at mid-ship, between the two main superstructures.
The aft superstructure has a very concentrated set of weapons (just like foredeck). In the hangar superstructure there are 2 AB-212ASW, 1 Super-Rapido gun, and the 40 missiles of the Mk 13 launcher, probably now utilizing SM-2MR missiles, an eventual big improvement over the original in almost every respect. Standard missiles are capable to attack also naval vessels.
As electronic systems there is a complete suite with dedicated systems for all the tasks. As radar, there 11 different system. There are:
- SPS-40 tridimensional radar over one of the 2 triangular trees, the aft one (US built, 300 km (186 mi) range, S band)
- the other main radar is an SPS-768 bi-dimensional (Alenia built, roughly the same range, D band), that is placed over the turrion, then, there is a radar dedicated to look about low-flying aircraft and ships, 160 km (99 mi) range (S), in the forward tree. Perhaps this unusual accommodation was due to the excessive weight in high, if the two main radars were both placed on the trees. It is linked with Dardo FCS. The forward tree has a quantity of small electronic antennas, as communications, datalinks, ECMs.
- There are also a surface radar SPS-702, X band, last version of a type quite successful and with all-solid electronics. Finally there is a navigation radar, with X band, forward tree.
- 6 FCS radars are totally presents, with two Standard missile radars AN/SPG-51 D (G/I band) with a FCS Mk 74 Mod.6. 4 DARDO-E are used for artillery and Aspide use, K-band (plus TV, IL, laser and IR sensors)
- a DE 1164/1167 sonar with (differently by Audaces) an immersion (VDS) DE 1167 element
- an ECM set Nettuno, one ESM, 2 rocket launchers DAGAIE (of French construction, replacing the previous SCLAR systems of Breda, 10 tubes with 330 mm (13 in) caliber and 10 km (6 mi) range, IR-radar decoys)
- a complete set of communications and controls, included the combat system called IPN-20 by the manufacter Alenia, and SADOC-2 by Marina Militare. It's a computerized elaboration system, that take cares of all the tactical information and the communications with others platforms. It had 10 consoles with one operator each (Garibaldi carrier had a SADOC with only one console more than de la Pennes).
Service
Durand de la Penne was in service with Marina Militare Italiana starting from 1993, followed one year later by Mimbelli. These two ships, together with the two old Audace, were the bulk of Italian navy's air defence, especially before that AV-8 Harrier, armed with AMRAAM, began fully operational. But even so, these were available only in Garibaldi task force. These missile destroyers have performed well as command ship in several deployment even over Mediterranean sea, and the last of their missions was related to the Italian peacekeeping force in Lebanon.At the time the best non-AEGIS air-defence ships, de la Penne have important roles in Italian navy. Now that Audace are decommissioned, de la Penne will remain the only missile destroyers (and the only ship with area defence-missiles) for some time, until the new Horizon will be operative. Despite they are still quite young ships, it does not seem that they will be updated significatively with new air defence systems. As almost all Italian ships, they were born with a modern and effective armament, but retained the same for all their operative life.
Minor changes are or will are made: the compatibility with one EH101 heavy helicopter or 2 NH90 (enhancing the helicopters capabilities, now still on AB-212s) equipped with new sensors, ASW torpedoes A.290 IMPACT and the Marte Mk 2 anti-ship missile, over the new ASW missiles MILAS, and quite obviously, continuous updates on the computers and electronic systems, that brings much improved performances even if externally there is almost no difference to notice.
Another important improvement will be the adoption of guided ammunition for the guns: Vulcano projectile for 127 mm (5 in), with an extended range of 70–100 km, meant as coastal bombing, is a quantum leap respect the traditional artillery rounds (similar to a new models developed in USA), while DAVIDE (guided) or DART (sabot projectile) will enhance further the already very powerful anti-missile defence of these ships. But there are no plans, currently, to equip them with EMPAR/ASTER missile systems.
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