Armée Italienne/Forze Armate Italiane

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First EH101 CSAR for the air force

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Maiden flight for Italian HH-101 Caesar CSAR helo

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

19 March 2014


The AMI has 12 HH-101 Caesar CSAR helicopters under contract, with options for a further three. Source: AgustaWestland

The first of 12 AgustaWestland HH-101 Caesar (AW101) combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters for the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana:AMI) made its maiden flight on 19 March.

The flight, which took place out of the company's Yeovil facility in southern England, was attended by the chief of the AMI, General Pasquale Preziosa, the Italian Ambassador, Domenico Terracciano, as well as other dignitaries from Italy and the UK.

According to AgustaWestland, this and the second aircraft will be delivered in the last quarter of 2014. As well as being used for CSAR and special forces operations, the HH-101 will be rolled out for search and rescue, medical evacuation, and slow-moving air-to-air intercept operations.

In addition to their standard equipment, these helicopters will be fitted with three M134 7.62 mm pintle-mounted Gatling- guns (installed in right and left doors and on the rear ramp), armoured cockpit seats, ballistic protection for the machine gun operators and critical systems, and an integrated electronic warfare system providing self-protection against radar, laser and infrared threats. The HH-101A will also feature an air-to-air refuelling kit for extended range operations.

Once operational, the HH-101 will replace the AMI's aging Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican CSAR helicopters. The air force's current Bell HH-212s are being superseded by the AgustaWestland HH-139A, which entered service in March 2012. In the long-term, the HH-139A will itself be replaced by a CSAR variant of the AW149.

http://www.janes.com/article/35706/maiden-flight-for-italian-hh-101-caesar-csar-helo

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Italian Navy Test Fires Vulcano Ballistic Extended Range Projectiles


Oto Melara has conducted firing tests of the Ballistic Extended Range Vulcano 127 projectile designed for the 127/46 gun mounted on the Italian FREMM and German F125 frigates. Photo: Oto Melara/

On 6 March 2014, the Italian Navy carried out a number of firing trials on board the frigate Bersagliere to test the 127/54 C gun equipped with Vulcano-Kit (V-kit). The firing trials, conducted with 127 Vulcano Ballistic Extended Range (BER) ammunition, proved to be successful, with projectiles achieving a range of over 38 km. The field of fire was limited to 40 km for security reasons.

The Vulcano BER ammunition used in the firing trials are part of a pre-production lot; the production-line qualification is underway on a first pilot lot of ammunition. It is the first time a military ship, not equipped with the naval gun systems used in the Second World War, has reached such ballistic ranges. Vulcan BER ammunition provide very accurate and high precision firing actions at ranges beyond 60 km.


Vulcano 127 has already performed firing testing verifying the enhanced ballistic characteristics of the projectile. The one in the photo is the 127mm Guided Long Range projectile, showing the canard section and GPS/INS guidance and advanced multi-mode fuse section installed in the nose. Photo: Oto Melara


Commenting on the successful test OTO Melara said it is ready to supply Vulcano BER ammunition to the Navies employing the new 127/64 LW weapon system and those employing the previous version 127/54 C naval gun with the V-kit upgrade.

In addition to the BER variant, Vulcano guided ammunition family also include the Guided Long Range (127GLR) and Semi Active Laser (GLR-SAL) guided versions, which will be available on board ships for firing trials starting from next year. The entire family of trajectory-corrected and guided projectiles will be able to conduct naval fire support at ranges from 35 km up to over 100 km, utilizing the OTO Melara naval guns systems.

http://defense-update.com

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Italian Chinooks stay on schedule

AgustaWestland remains on schedule to deliver the first three locally assembled F-model CH-47 Chinooks to the Italian army by the end of the year.

An initial example has completed over 100 flights since performing its maiden sortie from the manufacturer's Vergiate plant in June last year, says AgustaWestland, and recently completed certification trials for its digital automatic flight control system and flight director instrumentation.

The second aircraft to roll off the assembly line is also being readied for a first flight anticipated in the coming weeks.

To be designated the ICH-47 in Italian service, Rome has 16 examples on order with four options, to replace its active fleet of aged C-model Chinooks. Flightglobal's Ascend Online Fleets database records the nation's army as operating 14 of the type, with a further 18 aircraft in storage.

The third and fourth aircraft are on the assembly line, says AgustaWestland, with work on the fifth heavy-lift rotorcraft to begin in the coming weeks.

Under the terms of the 2009 contract between Boeing and the Anglo-Italian firm, AgustaWestland is responsible for systems integration, final assembly and delivery of the completed helicopters to the Italian army's 1st aviation regiment at Viterbo air base. It will also eventually produce the drive systems for the tandem-rotor type.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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Fincantieri launched Frigate “Carabiniere”, fourth FREMM for Italian Navy

On March 29th at the Riva Trigoso (Genoa) Fincantieri launched frigate “Carabiniere”, the fourth in a series of 10 FREMM - European Multi-Mission Frigates, commissioned from Fincantieri by the Italian Navy under the international cooperation between Italy and France, with the coordination of OCCAR, the joint organization for European cooperation in the field of armaments.

The ship was christened “Carabiniere” to celebrate the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the founding of this famous Italian force.

The ceremony was attended, among others, Roberta Pinotti, Minister of Defence, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, Chief of the Defence Staff, the Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi, Chief of Staff of the Navy, the General Army Corps Claudio Graziano, Chief of Army Staff, General of the Air Force Precious Pasquale, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General of the Army Corps Leonardo Gallitelli, Commanding General of Police, Giovanni Gorno Tempini, CEO of Deposits and Loans Fund, Vincenzo Petrone and Joseph Bono, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri.

Following the launch , the unit will continue its activities in preparation of the Integrated Military Naval Shipyard on the site Muggiano , in La Spezia , and will be delivered in early 2015. Carabiniere will be characterized by high flexibility in use and will have the ability to operate in all tactical situations . It has a length of 144 meters , a width of 19.7 meters and a full load displacement of about 6,700 tons. It can reach a speed of over 27 knots with a maximum capacity of personnel transported up to 200 people .

Carabiniere will be specialize for anti-submarine warfare, like FREMM Virginio Fasan and Carlo Margottini. The first ship of the class Carlo Bergamini is in "general purpose" configuration.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1695

Le 30° Groupe navale italien a eu l'occasion d'évoluer à côté du JCI après avoir quitté le Maroc


L'arrivée et le départ d'Alger

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Industry Gives High Grades to Italian Navy Defense Trade Tour




ROME — An unusual defense trade show held on the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, which toured 20 countries in the Arabian Gulf and Africa over five months, has drawn glowing reviews from exhibitors who hope the Italian Navy will organize a follow-up trip aimed at Asian and South American destinations.
The Italian companies that displayed their wares on board for visiting delegations in every port were so impressed that they said it has made them question the value of more traditional, land-based shows.
“If we had organized a show in every one of these countries, it would have cost 20 times as much as our investment in the Cavour mission,” said Jarno Antonelli, defense communications director at small arms maker Beretta.
“There was a great deal of skepticism at the start; companies were involved at the last minute, but the result in Africa has been incredible,” said a source at Italy’s largest defense group, Finmeccanica, which was the major exhibitor.
The Cavour’s mission was the brainchild of the Italian Navy, which charged Italian companies about €13 million (US $17.9 million) to come aboard for the trip.
The ship traveled through the Suez Canal, past the gulf, around the Horn of Africa and back to Italy, stopping off in the gulf and at the African destinations of Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Algeria.
The industry money effectively allowed the Navy to run a five-month training mission and build ties with local navies far from home, an operation it would not otherwise have been able to afford, Navy Chief Adm. Giuseppe De Giorgi said at November’s launch.
Civil companies, including Italian furniture makers, also set up stands on board, while Italian humanitarian nongovernmental organizations took part, offering surgical operations on board the ship to locals during stops in Africa.
“It was the first time that Italy, or anyone, has combined a humanitarian mission with training, with capability building with local navies, with the promotion of Italian firms – civil and military, all at zero cost for the Navy,” said Adm. Enrico Credendino, who headed the coordinating unit for the mission in Rome.
“It worked well and if there are the conditions to repeat it, we would certainly consider it,” he added.
“When official delegations boarded the ship during port visits, you had them all to yourselves, as opposed to exhibiting at IDEX or Euronavale,” said Massimo Foti, regional manager at shipbuilder Intermarine, which participated in the mission.
“There was a very concrete communication with potential customers, not the usual ‘We’ll get back to you,’ ” he said.
During the visits, the Navy organized dinners for hundreds of guests on the flight deck of the Cavour, with a well-known Italian opera singer performing on one occasion.
“The delegations were guests, but in their own country, and their attention was greater than at normal shows, where perhaps the local defense minister will visit the stand on one in 10 occasions,” Antonelli said.
Finmeccanica companies were well represented.
“Jeddah was a profitable visit for AgustaWestland, as was the gulf as a whole, with the NH90 and AW101 helicopters on board the Cavour taking delegations up for flights,” the Finmeccanica source said. “The gulf stops were also important for Selex ES and Alenia Aermacchi at a time when the Eurofighter campaign is underway.”
Selex ES, Oto Melara and torpedo maker WASS profited from the Africa trip, he added.
“At a show like Le Bourget [site of the Paris Air Show], the meetings are often institutional, and you know the return will be on large programs, in the long term,” the Finmeccanica source said. “But in Africa, it was much more commercial; we felt we were closer to deals.”
Other officials cited the impression made by the Cavour at ports that had never before hosted a carrier.
“The investment that a firm like Finmeccanica makes in a show like Le Bourget or similar is far superior to what we spent on the Cavour, maybe a fourfold increase,” the Finmeccanica source said.
With rave reviews from industry, the source said the Navy is already mulling a second trip, adding, “I believe South America would have a big impact.” A second industrial source said he saw the Far East as a candidate.
More planning would avoid the kind of hitches experienced in Africa, the Finmeccanica source said. For instance, the ship arrived in South Africa during a holiday and pulled into Algiers days before a change of government. In Angola, the appearance of Italy’s defense minister was scrapped when the Italian government fell unexpectedly.
Still, a source at Elettronica, which participated in the trip, called it “very positive, well organized at short notice — an effective representation of Italy working as a system.”
The mission also was conceived as a way for the Italian Navy to build ties with local navies. The patrol vessel Commandante Borsini, one of three ships accompanying the Cavour, has stayed behind for two months in Mozambique to undertake joint training. Local naval officers boarded the Cavour in Nigeria for training and will stay on board until the ship returns to Italy on April 8.
De Giorgi joined the ships in Algiers on April 1 where the Italian Navy starts training Algerian sailors who will man the LPD vessel being built for Algeria by Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
The Navy also is looking to sell off older vessels to African navies, which would likely involve refitting work for Fincantieri, which built the vessels.
A Fincantieri official listed Kenya, Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria and Senegal as possible customers for used vessels.
“There is less interest in combat vessels than in protecting fishing zones, oil rigs and fighting piracy and terrorism — the Borsini’s training mission is proof of this,” said Gianmaria Gambacorta, Fincantieri defense marketing strategy director.
Angolan officials reportedly showed interest in buying Italy’s aging carrier, the Garibaldi, but Italian sources said the Angolan Navy lacks the know-how to operate a carrier.
“There have been talks about selling two to three used vessels and training to Angola, either Italian Minerva-class vessels, corvettes or 50-80-meter patrol vessels,” an Italian industrial source said.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140407/DEFREG01/304070019/Industry-Gives-High-Grades-Italian-Navy-Defense-Trade-Tour

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Premières commandes pour le « Soldato del Futuro » italien

Actualités  Guillaume Belan  14 avril, 2014  



La société de défense italienne Selex ES (groupe Finmeccanica) vient d’être notifiée de deux contrats distincts dans le cadre du programme « Soldato del Futuro », version italienne du système Felin français. Le premier porte sur la fourniture d’un premier lot de 2726 radios individuels Software Defined Radio (SDR) SWave et le second sur celle d’un nombre équivalent de viseurs nocturnes TM-NVG (Tactical Mobility-Night Vision Goggle). La valeur totale des deux contrats s’élève à 60 millions d’euros.

Le système « Soldato del Futuro » italien a été lancé fin des années 90.  Tout comme son jumeau français, son objectif est d’accroître l’efficacité opérationnelle du combattant en améliorant ses capacités en termes de létalité, de protection, de communication, de mobilité et d’autonomie. Selex ES (groupe Finmeccanica) est le maître d’œuvre de cet ambitieux programme.

Trois versions sont prévues: une pour le fusilier, l’autre pour le grenadier et une dernière pour le chef de groupe. D’architecture ouverte, l’ensemble des soldats d’un groupe de combat sera équipé des mêmes systèmes, avec des fonctions supplémentaires pour le chef de groupe et le grenadier.

Le programme s’étale sur trois phases: la première a abouti au développement d’un démonstrateur technologique, la seconde a vu la réalisation de trois prototypes, qui ont été testés par l’Ecole d’Infanterie de Cesano et de l’USD (Unità Esperimentale per la Digitalizzazione), une unité expérimentale spécifiquement constituée pour ce programme au sein du 31ème régiment blindé de la Brigade Pinerolo. Ces deux étapes validées, Rome va bientôt pouvoir passer à la troisième, à savoir la livraison des premiers 92 systèmes de présérie en configuration « Fanteria 2010 ». Cela devrait être chose faite entre la fin de cette année et le début 2015. Les contrats qui viennent d’être passés prouvent que le programme est maintenant mature et que les livraisons sont planifiées.



Tout comme le système Felin français, l’architecture de cette future tenue du combattant moderne est un véritable système d’arme élaborée, qui fait passer le soldat à une autre dimension en termes de capacités. Le « Soldato del Futuro » bénéficie de capacités de communication avancées permettant le partage des informations des différents capteurs. Une capacité rendue possible grâce au système UNC  (Unità Nodo Comunicazioni), qui fait du fantassin un des nodules de ce réseau. Le Sodato del Futuro est équipé d’un système WPC  (Weareable Personal Computer), soit un ordinateur à peine plus grand qu’un paquet de cigarettes, équipé d’un écran de 4 pouces de type touch screen. Le WPC est relié à un clavier de commande, contenu dans une des poches de la veste de combat, qui permet d’insérer les données dans le système. A l’instar d’autres composants, le WPC est équipé d’un dispositif de transmission de type bluetooth, qui crée autour du fantassin un petit réseau local, appelé PAN (Personal Area Network), à l’intérieur duquel sont échangées les informations.

La transmission des données est assurée par une radio individuelle IPR (Individual Pocket Radio), dotée d’une portée de 1 300 m. Le système radio est constitué d’un casque, avec écouteurs et micro incorporés, qui intègre un senseur physiologique. Ce senseur permet de surveiller l’état physique du fantassin, notamment ses battements cardiaques.

La vision jour/nuit est assurée par une caméra TV à haute définition et à haute sensibilité, placée latéralement sur le casque, à laquelle est associé un viseur monoculaire  HMD (Helmet Mounted Display), le tout pesant moins de 500 g. Le chef de groupe dispose, lui, de jumelles multifonction UAB  (Unità Acquisizione Bersagli), permettant l’observation jour/nuit tout temps, la désignation des cibles et la transmission des données.



Chaque tenue comprend également un GPS ainsi que des batteries, nécessaires pour le fonctionnement du système, avec une autonomie affichée entre 24 et 72 heures (rechargeables à bord des véhicule blindés Freccia de l’Infanterie).

L’arme du “Soldato Futuro” est le nouveau fusil d’assaut en 5,56 mm OTAN Beretta ARX-160. Fonctionnant par emprunt de gaz, avec verrouillage rotatif de la culasse, l’arme pèse 3 kg environ en version standard, pour une longueur totale de 1 000 mm. Il est équipé, comme pour le Famas félinisé d’une capacité de tir déporté.

Les premiers systèmes complets de ce « Soldato Futuro »  seront livrés aux unités appartenant aux BMD (Brigade légère blindées digitalisées) sur VBM Freccia, qui seront articulées sur des sections de combat de 40 éléments, subdivisés en groupes de huit fantassins ;  alors qu’au sein des unités mécanisées sur VCI chenillés Dardo  l’articulation se fera sur des groupes de 6 éléments et des sections de 32 fantassins.

http://forcesoperations.com/2014/04/14/premieres-commandes-pour-le-soldato-del-futuro-italien/

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Italy May Build UAV School



ROME — The Italian Air Force, which has largely relied on US training for its UAV pilots, may build its own school — and open it to other air forces, officials said.

“Considering current trends, we will have more requests for unmanned aircraft missions than we will be able to satisfy, and our bottleneck is the existing training pipeline,” said Col. Dario D’Ippolito, who leads the Italian Air Force’s Intelligence and Awareness policy office.

Italy already hosts foreign pilots — for manned aircraft — at its Lecce training school.

“We have a vision which mirrors what we are doing at Lecce and which we want to pursue strongly,” D’Ippolito said. “We would be open to pooling and sharing unmanned pilot training within Europe.”

Any changes will be part of a wider reorganization of Italy’s pilot training. Currently, trainee pilots get advanced, or Phase III, training, at Lecce, where they fly the Aermacchi MB339A before splitting into groups for specialized fighter, helicopter and support aircraft training.

No one gets UAV training until they have served in a manned operational flight line. Those who are picked as prospective UAV pilots are sent to train at the US Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, then assigned to the 28th UAV Squadron at Amendola in southern Italy. They serve three- to five-year tours as UAV operators — currently, Italy flies unarmed Predators and Reapers — then return to flying manned aircraft.

Under the new set-up, due to start later this year or in 2015, all pilots will start specializing immediately after Phase II training. Some will go straight to New Mexico for Phase III training as UAV pilots.

“That means cost savings,” said D’Ippolito. “But it also means the build-up of experience which will allow us to open a UAV school in the near future.”

Col. Paolo Tarantino, head of the Air Force’s Air and Space planning office, said the UAV squadron would become less of a way station for pilots of manned aircraft and more a hub of for operators of unmanned craft.

“We will rotate fewer transport and fighter pilots in and out of Amendola, aiming to have a heavier core of experienced UAV pilots to pass on their expertise,” Tarantino said.

All pilots assigned to 28 Squadron will continue to fly manned aircraft in order to retain their certification for manned aircraft — a legal requirement for flying UAVs in Italian airspace.

Officials were cautious on timings or location of the school, but said that preparations could start next year. Once up and running, all UAV pilot training could be brought in-house, they said.

“Training in the US needs one or two years’ advance booking, and right now we have a rising demand for pilots,” said D’Ippolito.

Officials did not reveal how many trained-up UAV crews the Italian Air Force has now, but it has added to the 16 crews that were trained in 2011.

If the decision is made to open the proposed UAV school to non-Italian pilots, the new facility would follow in the footsteps of Lecce, which has trained pilots from 13 air forces from Kuwait to Singapore.

Lecce is anticipating an upgrade to its own training fleet. Next year, operational testing will begin at Lecce on the first of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Masters to arrive. The M-346 is to take over Phase IV training from the Aermacchi MB339CD. By 2020, the Air Force is planning to replace the MB339A with a new trainer: the M345 HET, which is being developed by Alenia Aermacchi.
UAV Ops

Italy has operated its UAVs in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Libya, using satellite navigation as well as line-of-sight navigation. In recent months, Air Force UAVs have patrolled the Mediterranean looking for ramshackle boats carrying African and Middle Eastern migrants who attempt the risky sailing from Libya to Italy to make a new life in Europe.

Information of sightings relayed back has allowed Italian Navy ships to pick up the migrants before their vessels sink or run out of fuel.

Last month, Air Force Predators had flown 25 missions for a total of 350 flying hours. The UAVs are now flying out of Sigonella air base in Sicily, which is closer to the migrant sailing routes than Amendola, and from where the US flies Global Hawks over Africa.

http://www.defensenews.com

ARH-129D

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Italian Navy tests Camcopter S-100 unmanned aerial vehicle
The Italian Navy is conducting sea trials of the Camcopter S100 unmanned aerial vehicle from Schiebel of Austria.



ROME, May 30 (UPI) --The Italian Navy is conducting a series of technical and tactical evaluations on the Camcopter S-100 remotely-piloted aircraft by Scheibel of Austria.

The testing comes on the heels of the rotorcraft drone completing tests in the North Sea by the Netherlands.

The Camcopter S-100 has a top speed of 138 mph, a range of 112 miles and is designed for military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and for civilian tasks such as search and rescue and disaster relief.

The Italian Navy is testing the vehicle from its San Giusto amphibious warfare ship. The vehicle set was leased from Schiebel and consists of two aircraft, a piloting unit and a control station.

The navy said the sea trials have to date evaluated the vehicle's interoperability with the ship, its takeoff and landing capabilities and sensor capabilities.

Tests also involved measuring noise levels and its optical visibility parameters.

Additional details were not immediately available.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/05/30/Italian-Navy-tests-Camcopter-S-100-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/3041401476026/#ixzz33HxmhvZc

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Italy cuts steel for another FREMM frigate

A steel cutting ceremony was held at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy for a seventh FREMM multi-purpose frigate for the Italian Navy, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2018.


TRIESTE, Italy, June 6 (UPI) --Steel has been cut this week at an Italian shipyard for the seventh FREMM multi-mission frigate for the Italian Navy.

The frigate will be 474 feet long, 65 feet in the beam and displace 7,728 tons. Its speed will be more than 27 knots, while its range will be more than 7,600 miles at 15 knots.

Fincantieri, which is building the ship at a location near Genoa, said the frigate will be delivered to the Italian Navy in 2018.

"This is a highly flexible vessel, able to operate in a wide range of scenarios, especially in patrolling and safeguarding the Mediterranean area," it said.

FREMM frigates are the result of the European Multi Mission Frigate construction program, with both Italy and France producing the ships for their respective navies.

The prime contractor for the ships in France is DCNS. The first of class Aquitaine, was commissioned in 2012 by the French Navy. In Italy the FREMM is the Bergamini-class ship.

One FREMM frigate was built in France for Morocco, which is now operating the ship.

The prime contractor for Italy on the Fremm program is Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, which was established by Fincantieri and Finmeccanica.

The Italian Navy plans to acquire eight of the frigates.

http://www.upi.com

Citation :

First Sea Trial for Italian Navy FREMM Frigate Carabiniere

On 25 June 2014, the Italian FREMM frigate “Carabiniere” had her first sea going, successfully reaching this important milestone three months earlier than her predecessor the “Carlo Margottini”. Carabiniere will be specialize for anti-submarine warfare, like FREMM Virginio Fasan and Carlo Margottini. The first ship of the class Carlo Bergamini is in "general purpose" configuration.

On 25 June 2014, the Italian FREMM frigate “Carabiniere” had her first sea going, successfully reaching this important milestone three months earlier than her predecessor the “Carlo Margottini”. Carabiniere will be specialize for anti-submarine warfare, like FREMM Virginio Fasan and Carlo Margottini. The first ship of the class Carlo Bergamini is in "general purpose" configuration.


Italian Navy FREMM Frigate Carabiniere
Picture: OCCAR

The overall level of readiness of the sub-systems is comparable to that found on the “Carlo Margottini” nine months ago and has been achieved under considerable pressure, with two important ship deliveries in December 2013 and February 2014. This clearly demonstrates the synergy between the Participating States, OCCAR-EA FREMM Programme Division and Industry.

In July the “Carabiniere” will undergo further sea testing, and it is planned that the sea trials will be completed by the beginning of December 2014, at least two months ahead of schedule. The accomplishment of this will be further proof of the continuous improvement sought and found in the FREMM production process.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

Collision de 2 Tornados, 4 pilotes manquants

Citation :

https://fr.news.yahoo.com/italie-collision-deux-chasseurs-tornado-quatre-militaires-disparus-173317183.html

Oui, en province de " ascoli-piceno"…4 entre pilote et navigateur tous morts ( entre les 30 et 45 d'âge )...trouvè ce matin le premier cadavre :

Citation :

Deux Tornado italiens se percutent en vol, 1 mort, 3 disparus

http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2014/08/actu/tornado-italiens-se-percutent-en-vol-1-mort-3-disparus/

Hrz et FREMM

Citation :

L'armée italienne se lance dans la production de cannabis

AFP 18/09/2014

L'armée italienne a décidé de se lancer dans la production de cannabis, en accord avec le ministère de la Santé, afin de produire localement des médicaments pour la thérapie de la douleur moins chers que ceux d'importation.

Un accord en ce sens a été signé jeudi à Rome devant les médias entre la ministre de la Santé, Beatrice Lorenzin, et la ministre de la Défense, Roberta Pinotti. "Il s'agit de produire des médicaments pour des pathologies extrêmement graves, comme la sclérose en plaques, ou pour la thérapie de la douleur", a déclaré Mme Lorenzin. "Il ne faut pas y attribuer une quelconque valeur idéologique ou culturelle, il s'agit d'une opération uniquement dans l'intérêt des malades", a tenu à souligner la ministre.

Le cannabis sera cultivé et traité dans l'enceinte d'une caserne spéciale à Florence, intitulée "Etablissement chimique et pharmaceutique militaire" et qui représente en fait une petite industrie pharmaceutique jusqu'à présent dédiée aux besoins de l'armée mais qui produira désormais également pour le secteur civil.
"Les capacités du monde militaire italien sont souvent méconnues ou sous-estimées. A Florence, nous avons tout ce qu'il faut pour lancer la production", a souligné la ministre Pinotti.

Cet établissement militaire devrait produire environ 80 à 100 kg de principe actif par an, soit les besoins de l'Italie, puis livrer ce principe aux pharmacies locales et hospitalières qui pourront préparer les médicaments spécifiques.
"Le gramme de principe actif coûte 15 euros quand nous l'importons et nous sommes convaincus que le prix des médicaments que nous produirons localement sera nettement inférieur à la moitié du coût supporté actuellement par la sécurité sociale", a ajouté Mme Lorenzin.

Il n'existe à l'heure actuelle qu'un seul médicament à base de cannabis disponible en Italie, pour le traitement de la sclérose multiple, tous les autres devant être importés de l'étranger aux termes de procédures longues et coûteuses, précise l'accord signé entre les deux ministères.

Un groupe de travail sera chargé d'établir dans les prochaines semaines les modalités concrètes de production et de contrôle de la filière et les premiers lots de principe actif du cannabis, produits par l'armée italienne, devrait arriver sur le marché en 2015, a indiqué la ministre de la Santé.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/886702/larmee-italienne-se-lance-dans-la-production-de-cannabis.html

Citation :

Un sous-marin italien arrête des passeurs en Méditerranée

Par Laetitia Méchaly  Publié  le 03/10/2014

Grâce à un de ses sous-marins, la marine italienne vient d'arrêter en mer un gang de passeurs et de sauver 300 migrants en Méditerranée. Mais cette opération est peut-être l'une des dernières du dispositif Mare nostrum.

Un sous-marin a permis d'arrêter dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi seize passeurs spécialisés dans le trafic de migrants, et de sauver 300 immigrés en Méditerranée. La marine italienne, qui a annoncé le succès de son opération, a saisi un bateau de pêche servant de «bateau-mère», à bord duquel se trouvaient les passeurs, et un bateau plus petit, où se trouvaient les réfugiés.

Les passeurs se servent d'embarcations plus petites pour envoyer les réfugiés vers les côtes italiennes. Le sous-marin a donc permis de surveiller discrètement l'opération des passeurs, quand ils envoient en haute mer les immigrants sur une embarcation exiguë. Bien souvent les migrants ne parviennent pas jusqu'aux côtes italiennes, transformant la Méditerranée en cimetière humain. Dans son communiqué, la marine italienne s'est réjoui d'avoir recueilli durant son opération «complexe et articulée de surveillance» les preuves permettant de confondre les passeurs.

Opération Mare nostrum

Cette opération s'inscrit dans le dispositif «Mare Nostrum» qui a vu l'Italie déployer depuis plus d'an des patrouilleurs, des hélicoptères, des drones, des frégates, et donc ce sous-marin. Mare Nostrum a été lancée après le naufrage d'un bateau au large de l'île de Lampedusa en Sicile, le 3 octobre 2013, dans lequel plus de 350 de migrants africains, dont des femmes et des enfants, avaient péri. Un an après son lancement, 140.000 personnes ont été secourues et plusieurs passeurs arrêtés.

L'Italie prévoit cependant de mettre bientôt fin à ce dispositif, en raison notamment de son coût excessif. Mare nostrum coûte de six à neuf millions d'euros par mois. Le gouvernement transalpin souhaite une plus grande aide de l'Europe. Il y a un an, son ministre de l'Intérieur, Angelino Alfano, avait souligné que l'Italie ne pouvait être seule à s'occuper de problèmes qui concernent l'Europe tout entière.

Pour l'instant, l'Europe, au travers de son agence pour la gestion des frontières, Frontex, a seulement décidé de prendre le relais avec un dispositif très réduit, baptisé «Triton», à compter du 1er novembre prochain.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2014/10/03/01003-20141003ARTFIG00149-un-sous-marin-italien-arrete-des-passeurs-en-mediterranee.php

Citation :

04/10/2014

Premiers ICH-47F pour l’Italie !



AgustaWestland a livré à l'armée italienne les deux premiers exemplaires de ICH-47F «Chinook» en fin de semaine. Au total l’Italie a commandé 16 hélicoptères de ce type.

Une cérémonie de remise a eu lieu sur les installation d’AgustaWestland près de Varese Vergiate.

"La dernière génération du «Chinook» offre un saut quantique en termes de portée, de protection, de sécurité, de lutte et des capacités globales de performance, grâce aussi à une suite de mission numérique sur mesure, par rapport à la flotte actuelle de CH-47C, qui a été le cheval de bataille de l'aviation de l'armée italienne pendant plus de quatre décennies », explique le chef de service du programme «Chinook» le Gen Claudio Graziano.

Entrée en service :

Le premier ICH-47F a quitté l'usine d’ AgustaWestland avec à son bord la première équipe qualifiée de l'armée, immédiatement après la cérémonie. Ce ICH-47F a rejoint les installations du 1er Régiment "Antares", qui exploite déjà 17 CH-47C. Le deuxième ICH-47F suivra vers la mi-octobre. Deux autres «Chinook» suivront d’ici la fin de l’année. La capacité opérationnelle initiale avec cette nouvelle variante devrait être déclarée dans environ 12 mois.  



L’ICH-47F «Chinook» :  

L’ICH-47F «Chinook» n’est autre que la version du CH-47F produit par Boeing (MK6 au sein de la RAF)

en vertu d'un accord industriel conjoint avec la société Boeing, AgustaWestland est maître d'œuvre du programme ICH-47F pour l’Italie. AgustaWestland est également qualifié par Boeing pour produire les systèmes d'entraînement complets. Boeing construit le fuselage dans son usine de Ridley Park. L'assemblage final est effectué à l'usine Vergiate d'AgustaWestland en Italie du Nord.

Le CH-47F «Chinook» :

Les fonctionnalités avancées de ce nouvel hélicoptère augmentent de façon significative la capacité d’emploi du «Chinook». La nouvelle version du CH-47 dispose d’une nouvelle conception, la cellule a été modernisée  et une nouvelle architecture de l’avionique conçue par Rockwell Collins et BAE offre un poste de pilotage adapter au vol moderne. L’équipage dispose d’une vue d’ensemble de la situation offrant une meilleure sécurité de vol. De nouvelles commandes de vols électriques améliorent  le contrôle du CH-47 notamment en situation complexe. L’affichage numérique permet également de stocker des données en amont de la mission avec la possibilité d’améliorer les conditions d’alerte missiles pour les missions suivantes. Propulsé par deux turbines Honeywell 4733, le nouveau CH-47F peut atteindre des vitesses supérieures à 175 km / h et transporter plus de 21.000 livres. Le CH-47F, avec l'Extended Range Robertson Aviation Fuel System, atteint un rayon d’action de plus de 400 miles nautiques.


Photos : 1& 3 ICH-47F «Chinook» italien 2 Cérémonie de livraison @AgustaWestland/Boeing

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2014/10/04/premiers-ich-47f-pour-l-italie-857140.html

Belle armée que celle d'Italie.
A quand un hélico lourd pour l'armée française.....

Le NH90 est pas mal.

Il y'avait les super frelon aussi, je l'aimé bien ce dernier.

Citation :

Un nouveau sous-marin pour la marine italienne

Troisième unité du type Todaro, le Pietro Venuti est sorti de son chantier de construction pour être mis à l’eau. Réalisé par le site Fincantieri de Muggiano, près de La Spezia, ce bâtiment avait vu sa construction lancée en décembre 2009. Livrable d’ici 2016, il est comme ses deux aînés du type 212A allemand, ces sous-marins étant réalisés sous licence TKMS en Italie. Un quatrième et dernier exemplaire doit être réalisé pour une mise en service d’ici 2020, les deux premiers, baptisés Salvatore Todaro et Scire, ayant intégré la marine italienne en 2006 et 2008.



Longs de 55.9 mètres et présentant un déplacement de 1800 tonnes en plongée, les sous-marins italiens, très voisins de leurs six cousins allemands, sont eux-aussi dotés d’un système de propulsion basé sur des piles à combustible. Armés par un équipage de 27 marins, dont 8 officiers, ils peuvent atteindre la vitesse de 20 nœuds en plongée et mettre en œuvre 12 torpilles au moyen de six tubes de 533mm.

Remplaçant les unités des types Pelosi et Longobardo, les Todaro seront à terme les quatre seuls sous-marins de la marine italienne.

M&M