Minerva - Corvette (8 ship)

Italian version

Dimensions: 87 x 10,5 x 3,2 (4,8) m

Displacement: 1.285 tons full load, 1.029 tons empty

Propulsion: 2 Grandi Motori Trieste BM-230.20 DVM diesel motors providing a constant power of 11,000 HP (8,088 kW) for a speed of 25 knots

Range: 3500 miles at 18 knots

Crew: 7 + 113

Armament: predisposition for 4/6 OTO Melara Teseo Mk 2 from single and twin laucher at center vessel; 1 Albatros launcher for 8 Aspide missile rechargeable with missiles from below storage; 1 naval gun Oto Melara 76/62 mm compact; 6 tube for torpedoes launcher from 324 mm for torpedoed whitehead Mu-90

Radar: Selenia RAN 10s (SPS 774) for air / surface search in E/F band; SMA SPS-728(V)2 for navigation in I band; 2 Selenia RTN 30X (SPG-76) for Albatross and 76/62

Sonar: Raytheon/Elsag DE 1167 on the bulb for research and attack that works on 7,5-12 kHz

Program/history: The first series was ordered in November 1982, the second in January 1987 while the third series expectancy has been deleted in favor of the acquisition of patrol ship Soldato.
Corvette of good water quality, stability and keeping the sea with a good balance between lines of the hull and superstructure together. The small size of them and their architecture provide a limited and electromagnetic signature at the same time ensure wide open spaces on deck for any future installations of additional weapon systems. The automatic allow the conduct of many of the manoeuvres directly from the bridge. The Minerva class corvettes have as their main tasks the defense of coastal areas of traffic, patrolling the EEZs and spaces of sea water coming metropolitan, fishing supervision, training in command.
From the unity of the first series were removed both the anti-missile system Aspide that tube launchers for torpedoes.

Builder: Fincantieri S.p.a. on Riva Trigoso and Muggiano

I series

Number	Name	Year comm.	Homeport
F551	Minerva	1987	Augusta
F552	Urania	1987	Augusta
F553	Danaide	1987	Augusta
F554	Sfinge	1988	Augusta

II series

Number	Name	Year comm.	Homeport
F555	Driade	1990	Augusta
F556	Chimera	1991	Augusta
F557	Fenice	1990	Augusta
F558	Sibilla	1991	Augusta

Layout of Minerva

Reference: Marina Militare Italiana

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Update: 29/07/2008