Sparviero-class patrol boat

The Sparviero class is a Guided Missile Patrol Boat designed for and formerly used by the Italian Navy. The Japanese Go class is an updated version currently in use with the Japanese Navy. They are the fastest craft in Italian and Japanese naval history. A small hydrofoil, it is capable of traveling at speeds of 46 knots, and is one of the last military hydrofoil types to enter service.

History

The Sparviero class fast attack hydrofoil was designed in Italy by Fincantieri located in Muggiano, Italy and based on the US Navy's Tucumcari class hydrofoil. The first of class (Sparviero P 420) was laid down by Alinavi in La Spezia, Italy and commissioned on 15 July 1974. Ultimately 8 of the class were built (P 420-P 426) with the last ship (P 920) built as a private venture by Fincantieri and was not bought by the Italian Navy. All were constructed with aluminium hulls and superstructure. The ships were capable of day running only and contained no sleeping accommodations. Plans to upgrade the engines were postponed, and all of the Italian ships have now been decommissioned.

Three additional Sparviero class were built by Sumitomo in Uraga, Japan with assistance from Fincantieri. Initial plans were to construct up to 12 of the type for use by the Japanese Navy. The first two were approved in FY90 and both were laid down on 25 March 1991. One more was approved in FY92 and laid down on 8 March 1993. A forth was asked for but not authorized. Production ended with three vessels produced. Considering the falling popularity of hydrofoil designs in military service (US, Israel, Italy and Russia), this was a surprising design choice for Japan.

Military use

Italian ships all decommissioned. The Sparviero class is currently used by the Japanese coastal patrol forces as a fast attack interceptor, and pose a serious threat to any attacker with their high maneuvering speed and long range missile armament.

Operators

• Italian Navy
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Registry

• Italy (all decommissioned)
  • Sparviero (P 420)
  • Nibbio (P421)
  • Falcone (P 422)
  • Astore (P 423)
  • Grifone (P 424)
  • Gheppio (P 425)
  • Condor (P 426)
  • Saettia (P 920)

• Japan
  • PG 01 (No 821) (Launched 17 July 1992) (Commissioned 25 march 1993)
  • PG 02 (No 822) (Launched 17 July 1992) (Commissioned 25 March 1993)
  • PG 03 (No 823) (Launched 15 June 1994) (Commissioned 13 March 1995)

Specifications

• Designer / Manufacturer: Fincantieri/Sumitomo
• Crew 11 (3 officers) (Italy 10 (2 officers))
• Dimensions
  • Length 21.8 metres (24.6 meters on hydrofoil)
  • Width 7 metres (7 meters on hydrofoil)
  • full load displacement 50 tons (Italy 60.6 tons)
• Propulsion
  • Motor: 1 gas turbine, 1 pumpjet, 1 diesel engine
  • Power: 1 GE/IHI LM 500 gas turbine engine 5000 horspower sustained (Italy 1 Rolls-Royce Proteus 15M560 gas turbine driving waterjet pump 4500-5000 horsepower)
  • Propellers: 1 retractable prop (hullborne)
• Performance
  • Speed 46 knots (8 knots diesel) (Italy 40 knots max)
  • Range 400 miles at 45 knots (40 knots Italy), 1,200 miles at 8 knots
• Weapons
  • Missils: SSM: 4 Mitsubishi SSM-1B (deritive of land-based system); range 150 km (Italy 2 OTO Melara/Matra Otomat Teseo Mk 2; active radar homing to 160 km, 210 kg warhead)
  • Guns: 1GE 20mm/76 Sea Vulcan; 3 barrels on each mounting; 1,500 rounds/minute combined to 4 km (Italy 1 OTO Melara 3 in (76mm)/62 compact)
• Countermeasures: Decoys: 2 Loral Hycor Mk 36 SRBOC chaff launchers (Japan only)
• Radar; Surface search; JRC OPS-28-2; G-band (Italy SMA 3 RM 7-250 (SPQ 701); I-band)

References

Saunders, Stephen (RN) Jane's Fighting Ships 2003-2004 ISBN 0 7106 2546 4