- Yes
- No
The Cassiopea class of patrol boats made up of 4 units, which take their name from constellations (Cassiopea, Libra, Spica, Vega) was built in the late 80s, with tasks of surveillance and patrolling of the Italian seas.The characteristics of these patrol boats allow them to carry out supplementary and replacement activities in the role played by the Corvettes, in fact they replaced the old Corvettes of the “Albatros” class. The main armament of the Cassiopea is composed of 1 Oto-Melara 76/62 Enlarged cannon, with both fire and gun control systems coming from the disused “Rizzo” class frigates, 2 Oto Melara / Oerlikon KBA 25 / 80mm Gun and 2 MG 42/59 7.62mm machine guns, it is equipped with a flight deck and folding hangar to carry 1 AB-212 helicopter for anti-submarine warfare. Although this unit is of recent construction, its low speed and low power armament, it has many possibilities to be added to the Italian Naval Tech Tree without creating imbalances.
Specifications:
Crew: Officers, Second Chiefs, Sergeants and Seamen: 74
Displacement:
Full load: 1500 tons
Dimensions:
Length: 81 m
Width: 11,8 m
Full Load Draft: 4 m
Engine System:
2 diesel engines GMT BL-230
3 diesel alternators Isotta Fraschini ID 36SS6V - 1 diesel emergency alternator Isotta Fraschini VM-V6130T
2 shafts with 2 five-blade propellers
Power: 7.835 HP
Speed: 16 knots (29,63 km/h)
Autonomy:
4100 Nm (7593 km)
Armament:
1 OTO Melara 76/62 mm Cannon
2 Oto Melara/Oerlikon KBA 25/80mm Gun (single systems)
2 MG 42/59 7,62mm machine guns (single systems)
1 Anti-Submarine helicopter AB-212
Electronic equipments:
1 SPN-748 surface search radar
1 SPS-702 surface search radar
1 SPG-70 fire control radar
Photos:
Sources;
http://www.seaforces.org/marint/Italian-Navy/Patrol-Vessel/Cassiopea-class.htm
http://www.navypedia.org/ships/italy/it_es_cassiopeia.htm
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNIT_25mm-80_KBA.php