Sauro
Conceived in the 1980s as a tool primarily used for contrast to underwater threat of the Soviet bloc, conventional submarines SAURO class have undergone significant improvements and technical changes in the course of their lives, so that they can adapt to the operational needs of the new millennium. In particular, at the end of the 1990s, the combat system has been the subject of a profound renewal with the installation of integrated sonar system STN Atlas ISUS 90-20 – and IRCS radio system with satellite capacity. The units can conduct covert surveillance operations (control and defence of particular sea areas), localization, shading and attack on submarines and surface units, to support special operations, collection of information.
The durable simple-type hull is closed with end caps. The hull is steel resistant HY80 and is divided into 2 compartments in which there are 8 different locations. The propulsion system is Diesel Electric type, is structured on a single propulsion propeller driven by an electric motor armature. The energy can be provided by Diesel generator groups 3 and/or propulsion batteries depending on the navigation structure. Like any conventional submarine this class is equipped with a snorkel to suck air into the unit, at an altitude of periscopica, allowing you to recharge your batteries.
The Sauro class submarine project was part of as a natural evolution of the TOTI class submarine, extremely quiet units with excellent manoeuvrability underwater who participated, with excellent results, at all the most important Inter-Allied exercises in the Mediterranean in the 1970s and 1980s.
For the SAURO class submarine the Navy decided to put in a new class of submarines with higher overall performance. She was then ordered to Monfalcone shipyard a first set of two boats: the Sauro [Sacred] and the Carlo Fecia di Cossato. Their implementation began in the late 1970s and while they were still under construction a second series of two submarines of the same class was ordered: Leonardo Da Vinci and Guglielmo Marconi. Then the Navy commissioned, always at the Monfalcone shipyard, a third series of Sauro: Salvatore Pelosi and Giuliano Prini.
These units, with half a meter length more than previous, did not represent the end of the project, as two further larger units with improved features (IV series) were set in the mid-1980 with the names Longobardo and Gianfranco Gazzana Priaroggia.
Submarines Sauro III and IV series have undergone radical modernisation works (refitting) to make them even more silent and provide a new command and control system. Sauro class submarines modernised respond fully to current operational needs and got brilliant achievements in numerous international exercises and operations.
The Sauro class of submarines has been in service with the Italian Navy since 1980. Of the original six submarines, two (the Fecia Di Cossato and the Leonardo Da Vinci) were retired in late 2005 and the remaining four (the Pelosi, the Prini, the Longobardo, and the Priaroggia) have benefitted from a slew of upgrades. The Prini, Longobardo and Priaroggia, in particular, have upgraded sensor capabilities, more robust command and control, new weapons systems (including Sub-Harpoon), and inertial satellite navigation systems. These three ships, known as the Sauro II class, utilized a different method of construction. These units are constructed in four sections that are prepared in parallel.
Following the withdrawal from operational boat Sauro line I and II series, currently the underwater scenery of component Sauro class submarine consists of Pelosi, Prini, Longobardo, Gazzana. The entire class will be replaced by Type 212A submarines that use an air-independent propulsion system. To this end, the Sauro-class submarines are being used as technology testbeds for the Type 212A.
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