Old Harriers and new choppers unleashed. Welcome aboard the Cavour aircraft carrier during “blue water ops”. January 27, 2012
Posted by David Cenciotti in Aircraft Carriers.Tags: AW-101, Caio Duilio, Cavour, F-35, Italian aircraft carrier Cavour (550), Italian Navy, Joint Strike Fighter, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, Marina Militare, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, NH-90, STOVL
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On Jan. 25, along with the ambassadors of NATO members, EU, Middle East and Mediterranean partners, The Aviationist has had the opportunity to visit the Cavour aircraft carrier during “blue water ops” off Civitavecchia port.
The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to showcase one of the most important assets of the Italian Defense, one of the few European aircraft carriers that is not only important for military operations, but it is also a versatile platform that made its operative debut during the Haiti relief mission.
The Cavour symbolizes “a variety of possible uses that make it cost-effective” said Adm. Luigi Binelli Mantelli, future Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy.
Along with the F-35 program, the Italian Navy flagship was recently targeted by potential budget cuts as a consequence of the country’s financial crisis. However, “the AV-8B will fly until 2020, when they will be replaced by the F-35B. The MoD Di Paola has confirmed the project will continue. We don’t know how many aircraft we will get. The Air Force will get the majority, but even the Italian Navy will receive its planes” Binelli Mantelli said.
According to the Admiral, the F-35, is mainly an Air Force project, since the service needs the plane for its future. However, the Navy has joined the program and the future STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, that was removed from probation one year earlier than expected, will serve as a force multiplier and complement the capabilities of the ship, capabilities that were showed to the ambassadors, diplomats and media during a tactical event involving the AV-8B+ Harrier (both single and double seat), AW-101 and NH-90 helicopters, the San Marco Regiment special forces and the Caio Duilio, a radar-evading Anti-Air Warfare destroyer.
Giovanni Maduli took the following images for The Aviationist.
Cavour aircraft carrier – Civitavecchia November 8, 2010
Posted by David Cenciotti in Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: aircraft carrier, Armed Forces Day, AV-8B, Cavour, Cavour aircraft carrier, Civitavecchia, Civitavecchia harbour, Grottaglie, Harrier, I GrupAer, Italian Navy, Marina Militare, Military, Military Aviation, Naval Aviation, Nave Cavour, Sea King, SH-3D
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As happened in 2008 and 2009, once again in 2010, Cavour aircraft carrier was at Civitavecchia harbour for the Armed Forces Day. I went there and made a quick tour of the ship as already done in the previous years and took the following pictures of the AV-8B+ Harrier and SH-3D “Sea King” that were on display on the flight deck of “Nave Cavour”.
A side note that might be useful if you’ll plan to visit the ship next year: the aircraft carrier could be visited from 9AM to 12AM in the morning and from 3PM to 6.30PM. Visitors could reach the ship using one of the shuttle buses which connected the harbour car park with the dock (that were some kilometers apart). Unfortunately, without any prior notice, the buses that should bring the people from the ship back to the car park ceased their service after 12PM leaving hundreds visitors (comprising many infants and elderly people) under the sun, without any other chance than waiting from a few hours or walking for 2,5 chilometers to reach their cars on foot! Thumbs down to the organizers for this unacceptable management of the bus service.
F-35, STOVL, Joint Force: will Italy follow the British path? November 5, 2010
Posted by David Cenciotti in Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: Aeronautica Militare, AMI, AMX, Cavour, Cavour aircraft carrier, Conventional Take Off and Laning, CTOL, F-35, F-35 Lightning II, ItAF, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, ItNy, Joint Force Harrier, Lockheed Martin, Marina Militare, Military Aviation, Naval Aviation, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Short Take Off and Landing, STOVL, Tornado
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On Oct. 19, 2010, British Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled the key changes to the Britain military that will be introduced as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Among them:
- decommissioning of the the Invincible-class aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal;
- cancellation of the Nimrod MRA.4 programme;
- early retirement of the Harrier fleet in order to retain a reduced number of Tornado GR.4s;
- early retirement of the Sentinel R.1 which entered in service in Dec. 2008;
- early retirement of the Hercules fleet by 2022 (tactical airlift duties will be undertaken by A400Ms and A330s);
- 12 new Chinooks;
- Tristar and VC-10 (this latter used only for air-to-air refueling until retirement) withdrawal by 2013
One of the most interesting ones is the reduced planned buy of F-35s that will not be the F-35B STOVL (Short Take-Off Vertical Landing) ones but will be the carrier variant F-35Cs. The abandonment of the F-35B is tied to the decision to convert one of the two future British aircraft carriers in a “cat and trap” supercarrier, hence able to launch the planes by means of a catapult and to recover them by means of an arresting gear system. 
This move will enable the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to operate solely the F-35C naval model of the Joint Strike Fighter, with benefits in terms of interoperability, training, cost reduction etc. With an ever shrinking budget, the moment in which Italy will be compelled to lauch its own Defence review, to ensure the survival of the Services at the minimum level and the sustainability of the out-of-area operations, is not far.
In the meanwhile, what we can try to understand is: will the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force, ItAF) and Marina Militare (Italian Navy, ItNy) be, sooner or later, “invited” to choose a single version? According to the current plans, the ItAF is interested in both the conventional F-35A and the F-35B STOVL variant while, the ItNy can only use the STOVL version to operate it from its current and future aircraft carriers.
The most obvious consideration that could be made is that the only variant that could satisfy the requirements of both Services is the F-35B. Compared to the A, the STOVL version has, on the “pro” side:
- a higher flexibility, being able to operate on small landing strips (this is the reason why the ItAF wants this version too) and from ships.
on the “con” side:
- less space for fuel, hence, a lower maximum range
- an external (=in pod) rather than internal gun
- a reduced flight envelope (+7 G instead of +9 G)
- it is more expensive and burns more fuel.
The rest is identical or much similar.
So, as the F-35 will replace the Tornado and AMX fleets (this latter being a priority in the near term) I think that the idea of a single type procurement based on the STOVL can’t be completely dismissed: modern scenarios, like the Afghan one, where tactical aircraft are used for Urban/CAS support or recce, are perfectly suitable for a STOVL aircraft (even if Convetional Take Off and Landing – CTOL planes, in most case, suit as fine). Furthermore, I don’t think that, in a future dominated by stealthy UAVs and UCAVs, there will be any evident advantage in flying an F-35A instead of an F-35B to war. For sure, in a future warfare regime in which targets are dispersed, hidden, mobile and well defended, operational endurance can be a key performance indicator to measure strike platforms, but not on a tactical base. We are not comparing a STOVL plane to an extended-range bomber, capable of operating from its homebase….
If a proper analysis capable of evaluating the benefits of using a single type of aircraft againsts the costs of buying and operating the more expensive one would suggest the purchase of the STOVL variant, I think I would 
not be concerned. STOVL aircraft are the perfect platform for the Forward Operating Bases of any expeditionary operation. By being deployed near to the battlefield, the STOVL aircraft are ideal for on-call tasks: even if they have a higher hourly cost, they need less fuel, since they don’t need to remain airborne in CAP, and they don’t burn too much gas for transit from departure aerodrome to the operative area, etc.
That said, I don’t know if Italy is ready for a single type of aircraft for both ItAF and ItNy capable of operating from the Cavour aircraft carrier as a single unit, something that would logically lead to the creation of a joint force similar to the British Joint Force Harrier and the subsequent proposal of reabsorbing into the Air Force, an option that the Navy might not accept…..
Defence firms sponsor Haiti relief mission: “Ottawa Citizen” newspaper quotes David Cenciotti’s weblog February 15, 2010
Posted by David Cenciotti in Aircraft Carriers, Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: aircraft carrier, Cavour, Haiti relief, Marina Militare, Military Aviation, Naval Aviation
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The Ottawa Citizen is an English-language daily newspaper owned by CanWest Global in Ottawa, Canada, with a circulation of 141,540. In an interesting article published on Feb. 14, 2010, by Ottawa Citizen dealing with the support provided by the Italian Government to the Haiti relief mission by means of the Cavour aircraft carrier, the Defence Watch coloumnist David Pugliese quoted my article “Cavour aircraft carrier joins Haiti relief effort“.
David Pugliese’s article can be read at the following address:
http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/news/archive/2010/02/14/defence-firms-sponsor-haiti-relief-mission-as-way-to-show-off-their-wares.aspx
I highlighted the text that referenced this weblog’s article.
Cavour aircraft carrier joins Haiti relief effort January 25, 2010
Posted by David Cenciotti in Aircraft Carriers, Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: Aeronautica Militare, aircraft carrier, AMI, Cavour, ItAF, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, Marina Militare, US Navy, USS Carl Vinson
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At the time of writing, the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, is currently cruising towards Haiti in order to assist the rescue efforts in Haiti. The ship of the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) is carrying a field hospital, medical equipments, food supply, cranes, bulldozers, 4 SH-3Ds and 2 EH-101s helicopters for MEDEVAC (MEDdical Evacuation) missions, and special teams of the Carabinieri (Italian Military Police), the Esercito Italiano (Italian Army) and of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force, ItAF). Before reaching the Caribbean island, the Cavour will make a stop in Brazil, to embark Brazilian military and rescue personnel destined to Haiti. “White Crane” is the first operative mission since the ship was commissioned and since its deployment will cost Italy a lot (the vessel costs some 100.000 – 200.000 Euro each day), many argued the ship was the most appropriate asset to support the relief operations. First of all, it represents a sign of Italy’s willingness to provide help to a poor country devastetad by a earthquake stronger than the one that hit Abruzzo in April 2009; second, it will showcase Italy’s latest hi-tech defense jewel at work. The Cavour will not be the only aircraft carrier supporting the multi-national rescue force: the USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was sent towards Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake to serve as a landing pad for a fleet of helicopters carrying emergency teams, survivors and victims. The supercarrier, carrying 19 helicopters (CH-53 and SH-60s) is outfitted with water-purifying machinery (capable of 400.000 gallons of driking water each day), dozens of hospital beds, three operating rooms and a giant flight deck that can accommodate many “external” helicopters.
Shipbucket image by MihoshiK & MConrads & Enrr
First “naval” JSF lands at NAS Patuxent River November 21, 2009
Posted by David Cenciotti in Aircraft Carriers, Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: aircraft carrier, AV-8B, Cavour, EA-6B, F-18, F-35, Harrier, Hornet, Italian Navy, Joint Strike Fighter, JSF, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Naval Aviation, Patuxent River, Short Take-Off Vertical Landing, Super Hornet, US Navy, USN, USS Nimitz
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During my visit to the USS Nimitz in the Indian Ocean last month, I had the opportunity to see the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in action. The Super Hornet is a 4.5+ generation naval multirole aircraft that was delivered to the US Navy in 1999 to replace the F-14, the S-3 and, in the long term, the F/A-18C and D Hornet.
Even if the “Rhino” (as the aircraft has been dubbed to distinguish it from the “legacy Hornet”) is the most advanced aircraft in the USN inventory, its replacement is already flying and undertaking flight testing: on Nov. 15, the first Lockheed F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) landed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md. The test aircraft, known as BF-1, after departing from Lockheed facility in Fort Worth, landed at Pax River after a stop in Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga.
BF-1 is the first of five test F-35B STOVL (Short Take-Off Vertical Landing) variants to be assigned to the air station. BF-2 is expected to arrive by the end of this year and BF-3 will follow shortly behind that, Lockheed spokesman John Kent said. The air station also will be home to three Navy carrier test variants. Before the aircraft can complete its first vertical landing, it must go through a transition phase. When regular airplanes fly, lift is created from the wing. But for hovering jets such as the F-35B, it is created from the jet itself. The transition phase is expected to include a series of flights, during which the aircraft will practice slowing down and transitioning lift from the wing to the jet — a critical step before an actual STOVL flight. Additional testing will include flying with different weight loads and ordnance payloads, according to a Marine release. “I’m anxious to have our engineers, our test pilots and our operators get their hands on this jet, and then see what we can do to turn test points and sorties at a rapid rate during the coming months,” said Lt. Gen. George J. Trautman, the deputy commandant for aviation, in a release. Eventually the Joint Strike Fighter will replace the F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, and the EA-6B Prowler. Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron-501, the first squadron that will train Marine JSF pilots and maintainers, is expected to stand up at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in April 2010 as part of the Joint Integrated Training Center. The first operational squadron will stand up in 2012. Even the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) is expeceted to receive 22 naval JSF that will replace the AV-8B+ Harrier and will operate from the new Italian aircraft carrier Cavour (that can accomodate 8 – 10 F-35B).
An F/A-18F of the VFA-41 and an E of the VFA-14 overflying USS Nimitz (courtesy USS Nimitz)
The BF-1 arrives at Patuxent River (Lockheed)
The BF-1 arrives at Patuxent River (Lockheed)
Italian Armed Forces Day 04-08.11.09 November 9, 2009
Posted by David Cenciotti in Armed Forces Day, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: AB-212, Aeronautica Militare, aircraft carrier, AMI, Caio Duilio, Carabinieri, Cavour, Civitavecchia harbour, CNGF, Esercito Italiano, flight clothing, flight gear, Guardia Costiera, Guardia di Finanza, Horizon Common New Generation Frigate, ItAF, Italian Air Force, Italian Army, Italian Navy, Marina Militare, PAAMS, Principal Anti Air Missile System
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The Italian Armed Forces celebrated the 91st Anniversary since the end of WWI with a series of events involving bases, airports and military installation all around the country. As happened in 2008, Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) in Rome hosted an exhibition with equipment belonging to the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), Marina Militare (Italian Navy) and Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard), Esercito Italiano (Italian Army), Guardia di Finanza (Custom Police) and Carabinieri (Military Police). As the following pictures I took there on Nov. 7 show, aircraft, helicopters and much more (including flight gear) was displayed in each Armed Forces’ booths.
As happened last year (read http://cencio4.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/on-board-the-cavour-aircraft-carrier/) the second and largest Italian aircraft carrier Cavour was again in Civitavecchia harbour and could be visited by anybody who wanted to “embark”. Unfortunately, there were few photo opportunities, since unlike 2008, the aircraft inside the hangar could not be photographed. On the other side, many images could be taken on board the “Caio Duilio” (D554), that was next to the Cavour. The “Caio Duilio” is a brand new Anti-Air Warfare destroyer belonging to the Horizon Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF). The ship was taken on charge by the Marina Militare on Apr. 3, 2009 and it is equipped with a Sylver vertical launcher for 48 Aster 15 and 30 missiles, autonomous Command and Control capabilities, LRR S-1850 M long range radar, and PAAMS (Principal Anti Air Missile System) based on Windows 2000 software with an EMPAR multi-function radar. Interestingly, the ship was designed with straight lines that give the unit stealth (low observability) capabilities. The following pictures were taken by Giovanni Maduli.
On board the Cavour aircraft carrier (again) June 30, 2009
Posted by David Cenciotti in Aircraft Carriers, Italian Navy, Military Aviation.Tags: AB-212, aircraft, aircraft carrier, Amerigo Vespucci, AV-8B, Cavour, Cavour aircraft carrier, EH-101, Harrier, Italian Navy, Joint Strike Fighter, JSF, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin, Marina Militare, Naval Aviation, ship, tall ship
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A few months after reporting from on board the Cavour during a port visit in Civitavecchia for the Armed Forces Day celebrations (for more information and technical details about the ship, read the following article: http://cencio4.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/on-board-the-cavour-aircraft-carrier/) we had the opportunity to visit again the Italian brand new aircraft carrier. The opportunity was provided by another port call in Civitavecchia for the Marina Militare anniversary on Jun. 10, when the ship received its combat flag. The following pictures were taken on Jun. 12 by Giovanni Maduli.
On board the Cavour aircraft carrier November 29, 2008
Posted by David Cenciotti in Aircraft Carriers, Military Aviation.Tags: AB-212, aircraft, aircraft carrier, Amerigo Vespucci, AV-8B, Cavour, Cavour aircraft carrier, EH-101, Harrier, Italian Navy, Joint Strike Fighter, JSF, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin, Marina Militare, Naval Aviation, ship, tall ship
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On Nov. 9, during the Armed Forces Day celebrations (see also: November 4th 2008 – 90th Anniversary of the end of WWI) I went to Civitavecchia to visit the brand new Italian aircraft carrier Cavour.
Nave Cavour (550) was commissioned to Fincantieri on Nov 22, 2000. The ship sailed for the first time in December 2006 and was delivered to the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) on Mar. 27, 2008. The Cavour should enter the active service by the Summer 2009.
The new ship of the ItNavy, capable of hosting V/STOL (Vertical/Short Take Off and Landing) aircraft, was opened to everybody that wanted to “embark” in the large Italian unit to her first port visit to Civitavecchia (to the North West of Rome). The aircraft carrier was next to the Amerigo Vespucci, the famous tall ship of the Marina Militare based in Livorno and used for training purposes.
An interesting public tour brought all the visitors on the flight deck on the top/flag bridge (to visit the Primary Flight Control inside the “Tower”), and in the large hangar of 2,500 sqmt capable of recovering 12 helicopters or 8 AV-8B+ (or JSF in the future) or mix of the two types, where a static display of AB-212ASW, EH-101 and Harrier had been arranged. The hangar space can hold up to 24 main battle tanks (60 tons MBT Ariete) or 50 lighter vehicles (Landing Vehicle Transport Personnel LVTP 7, VCC 80 Dardo IFV) or 100 Iveco LMV.
The ship is huge: 244 meters long and 39 meter wide. The runway is 180 x 14 mt with a ski-jump of 12°. According to the official information published on the Marina Militare website there are 6 helicopeter ramps on the left side of the ship, 1 SAR ramp at bow and parking areas for 8 aircraft on the starboard side. The deck has two 30 tons elevators for aircraft and two 15 tons elevators for ammunitions. Cavour, whose displacement is 27,100 tons (13,850 was the displ. of the Garibaldi), can accomodate 1210 military. The maximum speed is 28 Kts, the range is 7,000 NM at 16 Kts (18 days of navigation). The unit can reach the Persian Gulf (from Taranto base some 3,300 NM) without any stop and using just the 50% of the embarked fuel.
All the following pictures were taken during the tour of the ship upon receiving authorization by the accompanying non-commissioned officer
The following panoramic image was created by Giovanni Maduli, basing on the pictures he took on Nov 8.
November 4th 2008 – 90th Anniversary of the end of WWI November 18, 2008
Posted by David Cenciotti in Armed Forces Day, Aviation, Italian Air Force, Military Aviation.Tags: A106, A206, AB412, AB47, Aeronautica Militare, Agusta, aircraft carrier, Capitanerie di Porto, Carabinieri, Cavour, Esercito Italiano, Frecce Tricolori, ItAF, Italian AF, Italian Air Force, Italian Army, Marina Militare, MB339, NH-90
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Between Nov. 4 and Nov. 9, the most important Italian towns hosted the celebrations for Armed Forces day and the 90th Anniversary of the end of WWI. In particular, Rome Circus Maximus hosted an interesting static display of aircraft, helicopters and ground equipments of the Italian Armed Forces and Air Corps. Giovanni Maduli went there when the exhibition was being arranged and took the following interesting pictures of some of most important attendees. Among them, noteworthy, the Agusta A.106 of the Italian Navy (a light helicopter used for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) platform for the Impavido-class destroyers of the Marina Militare; an A.206, an A-129 and an NH-90 of the Italian Army; and an MB339 PAN of the 313° Gruppo.
As part of the celebrations, the brand new Italian aircraft carrier Cavour was in Civitavecchia harbour. We visited it on Sunday Nov. 9th. A report on that visit will be published in the next weeks on this website.
