Italian and US Navies conduct Joint Carrier operations in Indo-Pacific.

According to information published by the Italian Navy on August 9, 2024, the Italian Navy's Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier Cavour and the frigate Alpino, has completed a significant bilateral exercise in the Indo-Pacific alongside the United States Navy's Carrier Strike Group Three, centered around the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour. (Picture source: Italian Navy)

Since its commissioning in 2009, the carrier Cavour has undergone significant enhancements to accommodate advanced aircraft. With a displacement of over 27,000 tons and a length of 244 meters, the carrier is propelled by four General Electric/Fiat LM2500 gas turbines.

These turbines enable the ship to reach speeds close to 29 knots, making it a formidable asset in various operational scenarios. The flight deck, measuring over 230 meters, is equipped with a ski-jump ramp that facilitates the launch of Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, such as the F-35B Lightning II.

The carrier's aviation capabilities have been significantly upgraded, particularly to support the F-35B, replacing the earlier AV-8B Harrier II Plus.

This transition required comprehensive modifications to the flight deck, including the application of specialized thermal coatings and the reinforcement of key landing spots to withstand the intense heat and dynamic stresses produced by the F-35B's engines. These upgrades are complemented by the installation of advanced systems like the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS).

In addition to its aviation capacity, Cavour is equipped with an array of defensive systems. The carrier is armed with Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles and Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid guns.