Leonardo’s naval systems used at exercise Formidable Shield 2021.

According to a press release published by Leonardo on June 14, 2021, the firm's naval systems have been put through their paces in a recent NATO exercise, demonstrating their advanced technology and operational effectiveness. The range of systems, which included detection, tracking, communication, command, and control capabilities, were on show between the 15th and 30th May at the MOD Hebrides Range in Scotland, UK as part of At Sea Demonstration / Formidable Shield 2021.
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Carlo Bergamini-class frigate Antonio Marceglia (Picture source: Shipshub)

The realistic scenario saw live and simulated engagements against subsonic, supersonic and ballistic missiles in the skies. Naval vessels, aircraft and land vehicles from 10 nations tested their information exchange and interoperability capabilities as part of a simulated coalition-level response.

A number of Leonardo technologies were on-board the Italian Navy’s Antonio Marceglia, the eighth frigate to be delivered under the FREMM (European multi-purpose frigate) program. This included the Kronos MFRA (Multi-Function Radar Active) 3D radar that can locate, classify and track targets within a 250km
radius. The Kronos MFRA was able to locate ballistic missiles in flight as they reached speeds of over 1,800m/s and accelerated at over 6G, and continued tracking the missiles over 200km.

At the trial, the frigate also made use of its MDLP-EVO (Multi Data Link Processor) communication system to exchange tactical data, while its IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system, updated to the NATO Mode-5 standard, helped distinguish between allies and potential threats.

The brain of the ship, its Combat Management System (CMS), coordinated the frigate’s air defence and anti-missile operations, processing data from the ship’s various sensors and presenting a real-time tactical picture of the scenario to the frigate crew and other units, supporting decisions and interventions at a coalition level.

Leonardo’s weapon systems also saw positive results during the trial. The Super Rapido naval gun with 76mm DART guided ammunition demonstrated its ability to protect its host ship from even the most sophisticated threats. Meanwhile, the Aster 30 missile from MBDA, a European joint venture in which Leonardo has a 25% share, proved its ability to intercept incoming missiles.

“Antonio Marceglia” is the eighth unit built by Fincantieri that includes the combat system, the fourth in the multipurpose configuration after the “Carlo Bergamini”, the “Luigi Rizzo” and the “Federico Martinengo”, delivered to the Italian Navy respectively in 2013, 2017 and 2018.

Measuring 144 meters of length and with a displacement at a full load of approximately 6,700 tons, the FREMM frigates represent technological excellence: designed to reach a maximum speed of 27 knots and to provide accommodation for 200 people (crew and staff), these vessels are able to always guarantee a high degree of flexibility and to operate in a wide range of scenarios and tactical situations.

The Antonio Marceglia frigate is armed with 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 15 and 30 missiles, one Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano, two Leonardo OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS guns, two Leonardo Oto Melara/Oerlikon KBA 25/80 mm remote weapon systems, eight MBDA Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship and land-attack missiles, two triple Leonardo (WASS) B-515/3 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes, two SITEP MASS CS-424 acoustic guns, and four MBDA MILAS anti-ship missiles.