The Italian Navy’s Conte di Cavour (CVH 550) is one of the most advanced aircraft carriers in Europe and serves as the flagship of Italy’s naval fleet. Commissioned in 2008, the Cavour combines modern design, advanced weaponry, and versatile aviation capabilities, making it a key element of Italy’s maritime power projection.
Design & Aviation Capabilities
The Cavour aircraft carrier features a straight flight deck with a portside ski-jump ramp, enabling short take-off operations. It has the capacity to carry around 20 aircraft, including:
- 8 × AV-8B Harrier II VTOL strike fighters
- 12 × AgustaWestland EH101 helicopters for airborne early warning and multi-role missions
This flexible air wing allows the Cavour to conduct strike missions, anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and humanitarian operations.
Armament & Defense Systems
Cavour is equipped with a wide range of defensive and offensive systems to ensure survivability at sea:
- Main Guns: 2 × Oto Melara 76mm/62 Super Rapido naval cannons
- CIWS/AA Guns: 3 × 25mm Oerlikon Contraves anti-aircraft systems
- Missiles: 4 × 8-cell Sylver VLS for MBDA Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles
- Electronic Warfare: Elettronica NETTUNO-4100 ECM and advanced RESM/CESM/RECM suites
- Countermeasures: Dual ODLS OTO Melara decoy launchers
Propulsion & Performance
The Cavour aircraft carrier uses a COGAG propulsion system powered by:
- 4 × GE/Avio LM2500+ gas turbines (118,000 bhp total)
- 6 × Wärtsilä CW 12V200 diesel generators (17,700 bhp)
- 2 × propulsion shafts
This setup enables a maximum speed of 28 knots and an operational range of 7,000 nautical miles.
Sensors & Radar Suite
For superior situational awareness, the Cavour is fitted with:
- Selex RAN-40L long-range 3D radar
- Selex EMPAR (SPY-790) multifunction radar
- Selex RAN-30X/I surface search radar
- Fire control radars: 2 × Selex RTN-25X Orion
- Precision landing systems: Selex MM/SPN-720 PAR and Telephonics AN/SPN-41A PALS
- Navigation radars: 2 × GEM Elettronica MM/SPN-753(v)10
- Additional systems: IFF, TACAN SRN-15 A, SNA-2000 sonar, SASS & EOSS-100 IRST
Technical Specifications
- Displacement: 27,000 tons
- Length: 243.8 m (800 ft)
- Beam: 39 m (128 ft)
- Draught: 8.7 m (28.5 ft)
- Crew: ~1,120
Service History
- Builder: Italy
- Operator: Italian Navy
- Commissioned: 2008
