Andrea Doria-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇮🇹 Italy |
| Category | Aircraft carrier |
| Subtype | V/STOL aircraft carrier |
| Manufacturer | Fincantieri Riva Trigoso |
| Year commissioned | 1964 |
| Units | 552 ANDREA DORIA |
Description
The Andrea Doria class were helicopter cruisers designed for anti-submarine warfare and were Italy's first major new design post-World War II. Only two ships, Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio, from the planned trio, were completed and served until 1991. They led to the development of the larger Vittorio Veneto class.
These cruisers, originating from the 1957-58 Naval Programme, incorporated features to support the RIM-2 Terrier surface-to-air missile system and helicopters, specifically designed for anti-air and anti-submarine operations. The design was extrapolated from the Impavido class, with modifications to accommodate a flight deck and a hangar for aircraft operations. The flight deck was strategically placed aft of the superstructure, cantilevered out at the stern, to maximize space for helicopter activities.
For propulsion, the Andrea Doria class utilized four Foster Wheeler boilers powering two steam turbines. This powerplant produced 60,000 horsepower and propelled the ships through twin shafts, for a top speed of 31 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 20 knots.
The armament focused on anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities. The cruisers sported a Mk 10 twin-arm launcher for 40 RIM-2 Terrier missiles at the fore, augmented by eight Oto Melara 76 mm/62 MMI guns across six single turrets for close-range air defense. The selection of 76 mm guns over other options was decided in 1958 to ensure efficiency in point-defence. Six 324-millimetre torpedo tubes in a two-triple mount arrangement were installed for combating submarines. Initially intended to operate with Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters, the class instead utilized the smaller Agusta-Bell AB 212 helicopters modified for anti-submarine duty.
The electronic systems onboard comprised SPS-12 and SPS-39A radars for air search and surveillance, SPQ-2 for navigation, and SQS-39 sonar for sub-surface detection. The ships' guns were directed by the Italian NA-9 Orion fire control system, which relied on SPG-70 radar for guidance.
The two completed ships, commissioned in 1964, served various roles throughout their operational history. Andrea Doria was modernized between 1976-78 with new SM-1ER SAMs and improved electronic systems including SPS-40 radar, SPG-55C fire control radar, and SQS-23 sonar. Caio Duilio received modest updates in 1979-80, transitioning it to function as a training vessel. This included the removal of its aft hangar for classroom spaces and a reduction of armaments. Both vessels were equipped with new electronic warfare packages and radars in their later service years.
The Andrea Doria class had contemporary counterparts such as the Moskva-class helicopter carriers and the French cruiser Jeanne d'Arc. However, the innovative design and modifications of the class impacted the Italian naval strategy and vessel development for years to come.
Technical specifications
| Andrea Doria | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 26700 tons |
| Range | 11000 km at 16 knots |
| Crew | 485 members |
| Width | 17.3 m (56.8 ft) |
| Length | 149.3 m (489.8 ft) |
| Air Park | 8 F/A-35 JSF fighters, 8 AV-8B Harriers, 8 Sea King helicopters |
| Propulsion | 4 General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines with a power of 120,000 hp - 2 propellers |
| Thrust | 13200 hp |
| Armament | 4 SAAM (32 missiles) + 2 OTO-Melara Compact 76 mm + 3 KBA OTO-Melara 25 mm |
| Maximum speed | 31 knots |