THE ITALIAN NAVY has funded a study into the design of a 22,000t-class aircraft carrier capable of carrying an air wing of 20 short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft.
The carrier would be intended to "replace" the Vittorio Venetto cruiser, which entered service in 1969, and also provides a limited amphibious-assault capability.
The navy is understood to be looking at a design similar to the Spanish navy's Principe De Asturias. A mix of McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Plus, and variants of the Agusta/Westland EH101 helicopter would form the air component.
The Italian navy now operates only one carrier, the 14,000t Garibaldi. In attempting to push for a second carrier, the navy is understood to accept that some "less-than-ideal" solutions in speed and propulsion will be necessary to keep costs down.
Source: Flight International