PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) - Design
The multipurpose offshore patrol vessel is a highly flexible ship with the capacity to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first line fighting vessel. There will be indeed different configurations of combat system: starting from a “soft” version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence ability, to a “full” one, equipped for a complete defence ability. The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.
The PPA’s main platform design features include a wave-piercing bow, stabilising fins, reduced-signature superstructures, and a reconfigurable area for modular mission payloads under the flight deck, followed by a stern compartment for launch and recovery of 9-metre RHIBs, variable depth sonar (VDS) and weapon systems.
The low signature superstructures are divided into two main blocks, including the forward one with integrated bridge and co-located combat information centre, surmounted by a sensor suite-populated topside, and the rear one with a hangar for one AgustaWestland EH-101 or two NHIndustries SH90 ASW/ASuW helicopters. Thanks to the high level of automation the PPA requires a complement of only 90, with a total accommodation capacity for up to 200 persons.
Apparently authoritative sources provided wildly divergent specifications for this vessel. Fincantieri itself described a vessel with a length of 143 meters and a displacement of around 6,300 tons. A 2015 journalistic account reported a displacement of around 4,500 tons, 129 meters [420 feet] in length and a beam of 16m, the central over-main deck mission payload area can accommodate up to eight containers or two up to 15-meter rescue boats with respective embarking/disembarking equipment. The propulsion system will be CODAG-configured with two electric motors for low-speed operations, two shafts with CPP and conventional rudders. Maximum speed will be 32 knots, while on diesel engines and electric motors the PPA will reach up to 25 and 7 knots respectively, with an endurance of 5,000 nm at 15 knots.
Armament would comprise an Oto Melara 12/64 mm LW gun with VULCANO ammunition, one 16-cell VLS for Aster 15/30 surface-to-air missiles, for which MBDA is offering the CAMM-ER (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile-Extended Range) version system, a 76/62 mm SUPER RAPID gun in a new ‘over-deck’ version plus two remotely-controlled 25 mm guns, 2-or-4 double launchers for MBDA TESEO anti-ship missiles, both WASS heavy and lightweight torpedoes launchers and OTO Melara multi- role decoy launchers. The PPA and LSS will be also equipped with long-range acoustic devices.
The Light version had a complete set of artillery and is developed with the “fitted for” approach that makes it able to quickly deploy growing operational capabilities. The Light+ version adds the missile firing capability with actuators planned also for ballistic missile defense. The Full version will be able to operate in every naval warfare domain, such as: AAW, ASW and ASuW.
For this the new ships will be 120 meters long and 16 wide for a tonnage of about 4,500 tons (intermediate dimensions between the Mistral frigates and the Fremm), will have a maximum speed of 35 knots, just 90 crewmen and will be able to embark one or two helicopters, remote controlled aircraft and underwater drones.
The offshore patrollers (which in the "full" version would be similar to real frigates) will have a lot of standardized elements, reducing the operating costs by 30% compared to the ships currently in service. Modules containing weapons and equipment will be loaded and disembarked quickly allowing rapid configuration changes.
Proposed propulsion is mixed propeller / hydrojet with diesel that feeds the propeller up to cruising speed of 24 knots while the turbine feeds the hydrojet for cues up to 35 knots. Among the "light" patrolling and "full" combat versions that will also have a cost difference expected today in 300/350 million per vessel for the first and 500 million for the second. Differences due above all to the different equipment and armaments on board that will include 76 or 127 mm cannons, anti-torpedo systems, point defense, electronic warfare suites. The navy is evaluating the next adoption on these units of multifunctional radars with fixed faces, which could be installed on the fourth unit, the first in a "full" configuration.
GE Marine's LM2500+G4 gas turbine power the Italian Navy’s new Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) multipurpose offshore patrol ship. GE’s Power Conversion business provides the hybrid’s electrification system, including shock-proof MV3000 drives and motors, electrical system integration, energy-efficient PTO/PTI (power take-off/in) and shore power connection functionality. Integration of the electric propulsion system is carried out in support of and in cooperation with Fincantieri. Rounding out the ‘GE Store’ approach for this Italian Navy project, Avio Aero, a GE Aviation business headquartered in Italy, designed the gas turbine packages.
The PPA patrol ship will serve multiple functions from patrol with sea rescue capacity to civil protection operations. It is 133 meters long and can carry 90 crew members with additional accommodations for up to 171 members. The ship’s flexible hybrid propulsion plant features small gearbox mounted-motors for low speed operations, two propulsion diesels for mid-speed service and the LM2500+G4 gas turbine to reach more than 31 knots.
The PPA program continues a long tradition of LM2500-powered combatants in the Italian Navy with the selection of the LM2500+G4. Starting in 1977, the Italian Navy and Fincantieri were early adopters of GE’s LM2500 gas turbine for the Lupo-, Maestrale-, Artigliere- and Horizon-class frigates, the De la Pen-class destroyers, and the aircraft carriers Garibaldi and Cavour (equipped with GE gears). In 2004, GE’s LM2500+G4 gas turbine was chosen to power 10 FREMM multi-purpose frigates for the Italian Navy.
The LM2500+G4 gas turbines for the PPA program will be built in Evendale; Avio Aero will manufacture the LM2500+G4 turbine control system at its facility in Brindisi; and GE’s Power Conversion business will manufacture the drives.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
