Vulcano-class logistic support ship

Vulcano-class logistic support ship 0Vulcano-class logistic support ship 1

Basic information

Country of build:
Planned:
6
Completed:
1
In service:
2021 – present (3 years)

Ship measurements

Displacement:
27,200 t
Length:
193 m
Beam:
27.2 m
Draft:
8.4 m

Machine

Propulsion system:
Propulsion:
  • 2 * MAN 20V32/44CR diesel engines, 24,000 kW (32,000 bhp)
  • 2 * electric engines Marelli Motori 1.5 MW (2,000 bhp) each
  • 4 * MAN 6L27/38 diesel generators, 8,336 kW (11,179 bhp)
  • 1 * emergency diesel generator, 855 kW (1,147 bhp)
  • 2 * electric engines on Marelli Motori shafts 1.65 MW (2,210 bhp) each
  • 4 * diesel generators for SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction)
  • 2 * thrusters, 1.0 MW (1,300 bhp) each
  • 2 * shafts
Speed:
20 knots
Range:
7,000 nmi (13,000 km; 8,100 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)

Personnel

Complement:
167
Embarked units:
60

Combat assets

Cargo capacity:
  • Cargo capacity of up to 15,500 t:
  • 7.655 t (7.534 long tons) (+9,000 m3) of NATO F76 diesel fuel
  • 3.240 t (3.189 long tons) (+4,000 m3) of NATO F44/JP5 aviation fuel
  • 830 t (820 long tons) of fresh water
  • 220 t (220 long tons) of ammunitions
  • 40 t (39 long tons) of meals (30,000 food rations)
  • 3 m3 of gasoline in barrels
  • 15 t (15 long tons) of lubricant in barrels
  • 20 t (20 long tons) of solid goods
  • up to 8 * ISO1C standard containers, 28 t (28 long tons) each one
Electronics:
  • 1 * GEM Elettronica Columbus/N 3D radar
  • 1 * Leonardo IFF
  • 2 * GEM Elettronica MM/SPN-760, navigation dual-band radars, X/Ku
  • 1 * GEM Elettronica helicopter landing radar
  • Leonardo Link 11-16-22JREAP
  • 2 * Leonardo Janus-N IRST system
  • Leonardo obstacle avoidance sonar
  • FFBNW Torpedo Detection Sonar
  • CMS, Command Management System Leonardo SADOC Mk4, with 8 consoles (PPA and LHD Trieste simplified version)
  • SMS, Ship Management System «SeasNavy» of Seastema (Fincantieri), with other 8 consoles, integrated with CMS SADOC Mk4
  • FFBNW CESM
  • FFBNW RESM
Armament:
  • 2 * Oto Melara — Oerlikon KBA 25 mm/80, remotized
  • 2 * LRAS (Long Range Acoustic System) SITEP MS-424
  • FFBNW 1 * Oto Melara 76 mm/62 Strales
  • FFBNW 2 * ODLS Oto Melara
Aircraft:
  • 2 * helicopters AW-101

Vulcano is an auxiliary ship that entered service with the Italian Navy on 12 March 2021. She is designed to support fleet operations with fuel and dry stores. Along with another future sister ship, she is expected to replace the replenishment oilers (AORs) Stromboli-class replenishment oiler. Vulcano was financed under the 2014 Naval Law, for €346 million, then increased to €374.6 million, when the length was extended by 12 metres (39 ft). A second vessel was ordered in January 2022 for projected delivery in 2025. The Navy also has an option for a third ship of the class.

The French Navy through OCCAR ordered four modified ships of the class to replace its Durance-class tankers to be delivered in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029. The program is known as the Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (BRF). France officially joined the program in October 2018. The French BRF ships will be 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) longer at 194 m (636 ft 6 in) and 31,000 tons full load displacement compared to 27,200 tons, reflecting the French fleet's greater need for aviation fuel.

Vulcano was built by Fincantieri as hull number 6259. The stern section was built at the Riva Trigoso Naval Shipyard and the bow section is being built at the Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) Naval Shipyard. On the night of 22/23 July 2018, a fire broke out on the ship's stern superstructure.

Vulcano is designed as a support ship able to supply a large naval squadron at sea. She was commissioned in March 2021. A second ship of the class, Jacques Chevallier, is under construction for the French Navy and steel was cut on a second ship of the class for the French Navy in February 2022 and on a second ship for the Italian Navy in July 2022.

The ships have the capability to:

  • refuel ships
  • produce fresh water
  • carry cargo
  • Hospital NATO Role 2 LM
  • conduct repairs at sea with integrated maintenance workshops

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