Durand de la Penne-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇮🇹 Italy |
| Category | Destroyer |
| Subtype | Missile destroyer |
| Manufacturer | Fincantieri, Riva Trigoso (La Spezia) |
| Year commissioned | 1992 |
| Approx. unit cost | $640 million |
| Units | D560 LUIGI DURAND DE LA PENNE, D561 FRANCESCO MIMBELLI |
| Current operators | 🇮🇹 Italy |
Description
The Durand de la Penne class consists of two guided-missile destroyers operated by the Italian Navy, devised from an enlargement of the Audace class with updated machinery and sensors. Initially, four ships were intended, but only two were constructed due to Italy's involvement in the Horizon project. The class is named after Luigi Durand de la Penne, a renowned Italian naval diver noted for his successful human torpedo mission in World War II.
Originating from an evolutionary design process rather than built from the ground up, the Durand de la Penne class drew inspiration from past Italian naval ships like the Impavido class of missile destroyers. The Audace class served as the immediate precursor, introducing improvements such as an ASW helicopter hangar. However, these ships had limitations including the absence of over-the-horizon strike capabilities and vulnerability due to a highly concentrated weapons layout.
Design updates led to the Durand de la Penne class, initially referred to as the Audace 'migliorata' or class Animoso. The design was modified to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) and incorporated a novel CODAG propulsion system for better performance. Superstructure materials shifted from flammable aluminum to steel with added armor in critical areas, resulting in increased displacement and size.
The ships are structured to endure severe missile and aircraft attacks, featuring numerous bulkheads, anti-fire systems, and redundant communication and computer systems. They possess NBC protection for the crew and a stealth-like design that minimizes RCS, heat, noise, and magnetic signatures. Despite their size, a substantial crew of 380 is required for effective damage control due to the high concentration of weapons and explosives.
Armaments of the Durand de la Penne class span various categories. Anti-aircraft capabilities are supported by a blend of Standard SM-1, Albatross-Aspide, Compact 127/54 mm, and Super-Rapid 76 mm guns, enabling them to withstand intense aerial assaults. Additional weaponry includes long-range Otomat anti-ship missiles, ASW torpedoes, and two AB-212ASW helicopters capable of ASW and anti-ship functions.
The electronic suite is comprehensive, with a combination of eleven different radar systems and sophisticated electronic warfare and decoy deployers. The control systems for combat and communication integrate Alenia's IPN-20 and the Italian Navy's SADOC-2 for tactical data handling.
Operational since 1993, with the Durand de la Penne followed by the Mimbelli a year later, the class has served as the primary air defense for the Italian Navy, especially in the Mediterranean. The ships have shown versatility as command vessels in various deployments and continue to hold this primary role. While no significant updates are planned, compatibility upgrades with modern helicopters, torpedoes, and advanced guided ammunition for guns are under consideration, underscoring a continuous evolution to their combat systems.
Technical specifications
| Durand de la Penne | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 5400 tons |
| Range | 12000 km at 18 knots |
| Crew | 380 members |
| Width | 16.1 m (52.8 ft) |
| Length | 147.7 m (484.6 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines with a power of 55,000 hp - 2 propellers |
| Armament | 1 SM-1MR (40 missiles) + 1 Albatros (VIII 1) + 8 Otomat (II 4) + 1 127mm OTO-Melara Compact gun + 3 76mm OTO-Melara Compact guns + 2 20mm Breda guns + 6 T/ASM Ilas 3 + 2 EH-101 helicopters |
| Maximum speed | 32 knots |