Maestrale class frigate
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Maestrale class is the most important frigate class for the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) of the late 20th century. The class is composed by eight vessels: Maestrale, Grecale, Scirocco, Euro, Libeccio, Aliseo, Espero, Zeffiro. They were all built by Fincantieri S.p.A, Riva Trigoso, except Grecale built by Fincantieri S.p.A. - Muggiano, La Spezia.
General characteristics
- Displacement: 3.040 tons.full.
- Measures: 122,7 x 12,9 x 4,2 (5,9) m
- Flight deck: 27 x 12 m
- Complement: 24 + 201
- Propulsion: 2 × General Electric/Avio LM2500 gas turbines; 2 D Grandi Motori Trieste BL-230-20-DVM
- Power: 50.000 HP (36.765 kW); 11.000 HP (8.088 kW), 2 shafts
- Range: 6.000 nm/ 15 kn
- Electrical power: 3.120 kW
- Armament: 4 missile launchers Teseo Mk 2; 1 8-cells missile launcher Albatros/Aspide; 1x127/54 mm gun ; 4x40/70 mm guns ; 2x533 mm torpedo launchers ; 6 x ASW 324 mm torpedo launchers; 2 AB212 ASW helicopters.
The "Maestrale" class Frigates have their primary role in Anti Submarine Warfare, even if they exhibit a wide flexibility, thus making them also able to the Anti Air Warfare and Anti Surface Warfare roles. Ships of this class have been widely used in various international missions, either under NATO or ONU flag, and during normal operations of the Italian Navy. This versatile class will be likely replaced by new brand ships (like the new Orizzonte class) from 2010.