The Italian Navy has taken delivery of a new offshore support vessel (OSV) which it will use for research into its uncrewed systems for protecting critical undersea infrastructure (CUI).
The Tritone, built by Fincantieri, was handed over last week in a ceremony staged at the company’s shipyard in Palermo, Sicily.
As per an Italian Navy press statement, the new OSV’s modular design means it can easily be configured for multiple different mission payloads including a variety of uncrewed aerial, surface and underwater drones.
It noted: “The acquisition of Nave Tritone is part of a new approach to capability acquisition, with direct market action, including internationally, for cutting-edge solutions (in the form of platforms or services, including leasing/rental) with high turnover, for immediate inclusion in the operational testing cycle and possible integration into the armed forces’ inventory.
“The use of the Tritone vessel will also enable, through the numerous experiments it will carry out, the development of requirements and specifications for the new units to be designed, in particular the future Multipurpose Units for the Surveillance of the Underwater Dimension (UPSDS), scheduled to enter service starting from 2031.”
Among the other special features of the OSV is a dynamic positioning system which will enable the ship to remain static over a single location, even in adverse weather and sea conditions.
- You can read more details on the Italian Navy website