New FREMM with ASuW/ASW capabilities for Italian Navy

Among the main enhancements to the platform systems, the ship management system (SMS) has been taken by Fincantieri NexTech to the latest hardware and software configuration already used on the newest naval platform, namely PPA, LHD, LSS and OPV. The new frigates also incorporates all the platform improvement introduced with the previous in service ships, such as the new digital damage control panel station, alongside new full LED lightning.

 

The new FREMMs share the same Leonardo SADOC 3 CMS (Combat Management System) of the in-service GP/ASW-configured platforms. The CMS has been empowered with the software package and functionalities related to the anti-submarine warfare capabilities alongside the anti-surface warfare (AsuW) ones. The communications suite is however new sharing the same software defined radios (SDRs), SATCOMs and multi data link processor used by the latest in-service platforms such as PPAs and others, including two SITEP Italia SATCOM (UHF band) antennas installed aside of the secondary mast. In addition to the Thales 4110CL bow-mounted sonar integrated with the Leonardo obstacle and mine avoidance sonar installed on both GP and ASW configured FREMMs, the new frigates will incorporate the same panoramic multibeam echo sounder and the Thales 4249 (CAPTAS 4) suite including the low-frequency active variable depth sonar and the multi-function passive towed array (MFTA) for both submarine and torpedoes detection, in addition to the two anti-torpedo decoy launchers, as used on the ASW FREMMs.

 

Due to the installation of the CAPTAS 4 VDS in place of the 11 m RHIB mounted on the GP variant, the new frigates will be able to launch and recover the same length boats on the two ship side stations.

 

 

Another key difference in term of combat package regards the integrated electronic warfare suite (IEWS) which belongs to the same new generation family developed and installed by ELT Group (Elettronica) on board the PPAs and the LHD. The IEWS passive suite consists of the RESM component whose antennas are mounted as in the previous class ships under the radome of the multifunction radar on the main mast and the CESM component which antenna is installed on top of the secondary mast. The RECM active modules embodying the GaN technology (instead of GaAs) and featuring reduced dimensions but at the same time enhanced capabilities, are installed in the same position already used by current same equipment on board in service frigates, namely in the frontal area of the main mast and on the port corner side of the hangar structure. The suite also include an EW suite managing equipment which allows the potential combined use together with the sensors installed on board the NHIndustries SH-90A ASuW/ASW helicopters and future unmanned systems. The Italian Navy plans to equip a number of FREMMs with the tools to operate the recently put into service Insitu ScanEagle UAS, when required. As anticipated, the ASW suite of the new ships also includes the two Leonardo B530 anti-torpedo decoy launchers (12 cells each) positioned amidship as on the ASW variant.

 

 

The remaining sensor suite includes the Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval 3D multi-function radar utilizing the GaAs technologies as part of the SAAM ESD (Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile Extended Self-Defence) system capable of consort ships defence, featuring also a C2 and two 8-cells Naval Group Sylver A50 launchers for MBDA Aster family of surface-to-air missiles. The new ships can also accept two additional Naval Group 8-cells Sylver A70 launchers for surface-to-air or land-attack missiles, which space is today occupied by additional personnel accommodations.