NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Carlo Bergamini 1974

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
Carlo Bergamini	F593		CRDA, Monfalcone	19.7.1959	16.6.1960	23.6.1962	stricken 11.1981
Virgilio Fasan	F594		Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia	6.3.1960	9.10.1960	10.10.1962	stricken 12.1988
Carlo Margottini	F595		Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia	26.5.1957	12.6.1960	5.5.1962	stricken 5.1988
Luigi Rizzo	F596		Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia	26.5.1957	6.3.1960	15.12.1961	stricken 11.1980

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1410
Displacement full, t	1650
Length, m	86.5 pp 94.0 oa
Breadth, m	11.4
Draught, m	3.10
No of shafts	2
Machinery	F593, 596: 4 Tosi diesels F594, 595: 4 Fiat diesels
Power, h. p.	16000
Max speed, kts	25
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	3000(18)
Armament	3 x 1 - 76/62 MMI, 2 x 3 - 324 TT, 1 x 1 - 305 Menon ASWRL, 1 helicopter (AB-204)
Electronic equipment	SPS-12, SPQ-2, RTN-10X radars, SQS-40 sonar, SPR-A ECM suite
Complement	163

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Although originally described as corvettes ('Corvette Veloci Tipo 2', or fast corvette Type 2), these ships were much closer to the faster frigates in ASW capability, and they were all re-rated as frigates. Even so, they were in effect replaced by the Minerva class corvettes. The last two ships listed were announced in June 1956 as part of the second five-year naval programme. Another pair was added that November. Work on Bergamini was suspended for a time in 1959 due to financial problems.

The main distinction between these 'fast corvettes' and the earlier frigates was their diesel powerplant, which limited their speed. The design initially called for three 76mm/62s ('A', 'B', 'X' positions), for a twin 40mm gun in 'Y' position, for two Menon single-barrel mortars side by side abaft 'B' position, and for three aft-firing 533mm torpedo tubes on the fantail. The fire control system was the new OG 3 with its Orion RTN-7X radar. In 1958, however, the Italian Navy decided that 76mm was the minimum calibre for a useful anti-aircraft weapon, and the twin 40mm gun was eliminated: one of the two Menon mortars replaced it. Then in 1960 the navy decided that an ASW helicopter, armed with a homing torpedo, was necessary to deal with modem fast submarines. The Menon aft was eliminated, the uptakes merged with the mast to form a 'mack', and a helicopter pad and telescopic hangar placed abaft the bridge structure. The fixed torpedo tubes were replaced by a pair of lightweight Mk 32 triple tubes (the first in the Italian Navy) for Mk 44 torpedoes. By this time the planned SQS-11 sonar had been superseded by the longer-range SQS-40 (a variant of SQS-4). The two single-barrel mortars abaft 'B' mount were replaced by a single mortar, which could lay down only a 7-round pattern. To make helicopter operation easier, the ships were fitted with fin stabilizers.

Modernizations

1968, Carlo Margottini; 1969, Virgilio Fasan; 1970, Carlo Bergamini; 1971, Luigi Rizzo: - 1 x 1 - 76/62, 1 AB-204 helicopter; + 1 AB-212 helicopter

Naval service

No significant events.