Vulcano-class logistic support ship
{{Short description|Italian class of replenishment tankers}}
{{redirect|LSS, Logistic Support Ship|the general topic|logistics ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Vulcano (A 5335) 01.jpg | Ship caption = Vulcano in July 2023 in Genoa }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Vulcano class | Builders = Fincantieri | Operators = {{navy|ITA}} | Class before = {{sclass|Stromboli|replenishment oiler|4}} | Class after = | Subclasses = Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces | Cost = {{ShipCost|ITA|374.6|m|qty=first|year=2019}} | Built range = 2016–present | In commission range = 2021–present | Total ships planned = * 4× Italian Navy
| Total ships on order = | Total ships building = * 1× French Navy | Total ships completed = * 2× Italian Navy (Vulcano & Atlante)
| Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 2 (1x French Navy; 1x Italian Navy) | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships scrapped = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship type = Logistic support ship | Ship displacement = {{convert|27200|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} full load | Ship length = * {{convert|193|m|ftin|abbr=on}} LOA
| Ship beam = {{convert|27.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draft = {{convert|8.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = | Ship propulsion = * CODLAD scheme which drive two propellers
| Ship speed = * {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{convert|7,000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|16|kn}} | Ship endurance = 30 days | Ship crew = 167 | Ship complement = 188 (+5) + 42 transported + 13 hospitalised
| Ship EW = * FFBNW CESM
| Ship armament = * 2 × Oto Melara - Oerlikon KBA 25 mm/80, remotized
| Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = 2 helicopters AW-101 | Ship aircraft facilities = * Hangar for 2 helicopters AW-101
| Ship notes = * 4 × RAS (replenishment at sea) Hepburn stations
| Ship height = {{convert|16.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} }} |
The Vulcano class is a class of replenishment oiler used by the Italian Navy, with lead ship Vulcano of the class entered service on 12 March 2021.{{Cite web|last=Archus|first=Dorian|title=Italian Navy commissions Vulcano Logistic Support Ship |work=Naval Post|url=https://navalpost.com/italian-navy-commissions-vulcano-logistic-support-ship/|access-date=12 March 2021 |date=12 March 2021}} The ships are designed to support fleet operations with fuel and dry stores and expected to replace the {{sclass|Stromboli|replenishment oiler|4}},
another class of replenishment oiler from the Navy. Vulcano was financed under the 2014 Naval Law,{{cite web |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/uominimezzi/nuoviprogetti/Pagine/programma-navale-2014.aspx |title=Le navi del programma 2014 |publisher=Italian Navy |language=it |url-status=dead |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129095252/http://www.marina.difesa.it/uominimezzi/nuoviprogetti/Pagine/programma-navale-2014.aspx }} for €346 million, then increased to €374.6 million, when the length was extended by {{convert|12|m}}. A second ship Atlante was ordered in January 2022 for projected delivery in 2025. The Navy also had an option for a third ship of the class.{{cite web |url=https://seawaves.com/?p=17995 |title=Fincantieri to Build Second LSS for the Italian Navy |work=SeaWaves Magazine |date=5 January 2022 |access-date=7 January 2021 }} However, under the Italian MoD’s Multi-Year Defence Planning Document (Documento Programmatico Pluriennale della Difesa, DPP) for the 2023-2025 timeframe, a fourth ship was added to the program.{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/italian-mods-defence-planning-document-2023-2025-new-naval-and-joint-programs/ | title=Italian MoD's Defence Planning Document 2023-2025: New Naval And Joint Programs |website=Naval News | last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=20 November 2023}}
The French Navy through OCCAR ordered three modified ships of the class to replace its {{sclass|Durance|tanker|1}}s to be delivered in 2023, 2025 and 2027. A fourth ship to be ordered is projected for service entry after 2030.{{cite web|url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/derniere-navigation-pour-le-bcr-marne-qui-passe-le-flambeau-au-brf-jacques-chevallier |title=Dernière navigation pour le BCR Marne, qui passe le flambeau au BRF Jacques Chevallier |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=13 April 2023|access-date=13 April 2023}} The program is known as the Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (BRF).{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-brf-jacques-chevallier-sera-livre-en-2023 |title=Marine nationale : le BRF Jacques Chevallier sera livré en 2023 |work=Mer et Marine |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=14 April 2021 |access-date=18 June 2021 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news | url=https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/petrolier-ravitailleur-la-france-monte-a-bord-du-programme-italien-vulcano-781913.html | title=Pétrolier ravitailleur : la France monte à bord du programme italien Vulcano | first= Michel | last=Cabirol | date=15 June 2018 | newspaper=Le Tribune |language=fr |access-date=18 June 2021 }} France officially joined the program in October 2018.{{cite web |last1=Peruzzi |first1=Luca |title=Euronaval 2018: France joins LSS programme to meet FLOTLOG requirement |url=https://www.janes.com/article/84064/euronaval-2018-france-joins-lss-programme-to-meet-flotlog-requirement |website=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026133001/https://www.janes.com/article/84064/euronaval-2018-france-joins-lss-programme-to-meet-flotlog-requirement |archive-date=26 October 2018 |location=Paris |date=26 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=OCCAR: order of a new fleet of logistic support ships for the French Navy |date=31 January 2019 |url=https://www.edrmagazine.eu/occar-order-of-a-new-fleet-of-logistic-support-ships-for-the-french-navy |publisher=European Defence Review |access-date=10 November 2019 }} The French BRF ships are {{convert|1|m|ftin}} longer at {{convert|194|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and 31,000 tons full load displacement compared to 27,200 tons, reflecting the French fleet's greater need for aviation fuel.{{Cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/05/construction-begins-for-french-navys-next-gen-replenishment-tanker-chevallier-class-brf/ | title=Construction Begins for French Navy's Next Gen Replenishment Tanker Chevallier-class 'BRF' | first=Xavier | last= Vavasseur |work=Naval News | date= 18 May 2020 |access-date=18 June 2021 }}
Design and construction
Vulcano was built by Fincantieri as yard number 6259. The stern section was built at the Riva Trigoso Naval Shipyard and the bow section was 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/81988/fire-breaks-out-on-unfinished-italian-support-ship?from_rss=1 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |quote=A fire broke out, for reasons unknown, aboard the logistic support ship (LSS) Vulcano on the night of 22/23 July. |title=Fire breaks out on unfinished Italian support ship |date=25 July 2018 |first=Luca |last=Peruzzi |url-status=dead |access-date=25 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726010059/http://www.janes.com/article/81988/fire-breaks-out-on-unfinished-italian-support-ship?from_rss=1 }}
Vulcano is designed as a support ship able to supply a large naval squadron at sea.{{cite web |url=http://www.nsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/10.-Parapetto_Presentazione-NAPOLI_30_06-compressed.pdf |title=Stato Maggiore Marina |last=Parapetto |first=Marco |language=Italian |work=Naples Shipping Week |date=30 June 2016 |access-date=18 June 2021 }} She was commissioned in March 2021. The lead ship of the French Navy's Jacques Chevallier sub-class began sea trials in December 2022{{cite web | url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/en-images-premiere-sortie-d-essais-en-mer-pour-le-brf-jacques-chevallier | title=En images : Première sortie d'essais en mer pour le BRF Jacques Chevallier | Mer et Marine | date=22 December 2022 }} and was commissioned in November 2024.{{Cite web|first=Vincent |last=Groizeleau|date=28 November 2024|title=Le BRF Jacques Chevallier admis au service actif |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/le-brf-jacques-chevallier-admis-au-service-actif|work=Mer et Marine|language=fr|access-date=28 November 2024}} Steel was cut on a second ship for the French Navy in February 2022{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/02/fincantieri-cuts-steel-for-french-navy-second-logistic-support-ship/ |title=Fincantieri Cuts Steel For French Navy Second Logistic Support Ship |work=Naval News |last=Vavasseur |first=Xavier |date=7 February 2022 |access-date=29 April 2022}} and on a second ship for the Italian Navy in July 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/07/fincantieri-cuts-steel-of-second-lss-for-italian-navy/ | title=Fincantieri Cuts Steel of Second LSS for Italian Navy | date=21 July 2022 }} The second vessels for the French and Italian navies (Jacques Stosskopf & Atlante) both began sea trials in the first half of 2025.{{cite web | url=https://www.occar.int/news/italian-logistic-support-ship-lss-atlante-successfully-completes-first-sea-going-review-and-first-sea-going-#:~:text=The%20LSS%20Atlante%20represents%20the,Member%20States%20Italy%20and%20France. | title=Italian Logistic Support Ship (LSS) Atlante Successfully Completes First Sea Going Review and First Sea Going | date=25 March 2025 |website=OCCAR }}{{cite web | url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/le-brf-jacques-stosskopf-debute-ses-essais-en-mer | title=Le BRF Jacques Stosskopf débute ses essais en mer| date=10 April 2025 |website=Mer et Marine |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent }}
The ships have the capability to:
- refuel ships
- produce fresh water
- carry cargo
- Hospital NATO Role 2 LM{{Cite web |url=http://www.occar.int/409 |title=Keel Laying Ceremony in Castellammare di Stabia for LSS |publisher=OCCAR |access-date=19 November 2016 |archive-date=20 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120005812/http://www.occar.int/409 |url-status=dead }}
- conduct repairs at sea with integrated maintenance workshops
She has a cargo capacity of up to 15,500 t,
of which, "at least":
- {{convert|7.655|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} (+9,000 m3) of NATO F76 diesel fuel{{Cite web |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/uominimezzi/nuovi_progetti_2/Pagine/lss.aspx |title=LSS: Logistic Support Ship |language=it |publisher=Marina Militare |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818214508/http://www.marina.difesa.it/uominimezzi/nuovi_progetti_2/Pagine/lss.aspx |url-status=dead }}
- {{convert|3.240|t|LT|abbr=on}} (+4,000 m3) of NATO F44/JP5 aviation fuel
- {{convert|830|t|LT|abbr=on}} of fresh water
- {{convert|220|t|LT|abbr=on}} of ammunitions
- {{convert|40|t|LT|abbr=on}} of meals (30,000 food rations)
- 3 m3 of gasoline in barrels
- {{convert|15|t|LT|abbr=on}} of lubricant in barrels
- {{convert|20|t|LT|abbr=on}} of solid goods
- up to 8 × ISO1C standard containers, {{convert|28|t|LT|abbr=on}} each one
Ships of the class
Italics indicate the estimated date
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commonscat|Vulcano (A 5335)}}
- [https://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/home/Pagine/home_ships.aspx Ships] Marina Militare website
{{Ship classes of the Marina Militare}}
{{List of ships built by Fincantieri}}
{{Portal bar|Italy|Engineering}}
Category:Auxiliary ships of the Italian Navy