The ceremony for the cutting of the first sheet metal was held today at the Stabia plant in Fincantieri, which starts the work of the multirole amphibious unit (LHD or Landing Helicopter Dock).
The new unit will be delivered in 2022 and is part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the naval units of the Navy decided by the Government and the Parliament and started in May 2015. In addition to the construction of the LHD - whose works officially start today - the multi-year program provides for the construction of seven Polivalenti of Altura Patrol (PPA) with additional three in option and 'logistic support unit (LSS) "Volcano".
LHD will be certified by RINA Services in accordance with international conventions on pollution prevention for both the most traditional aspects such as those dealt with by the MARPOL Convention and those not yet binding, such as the Hong Kong Convention on Ship Desertification .
Unit features: LHD - Landing Helicopter Dock
The unit will have a length of about 200 meters, a maximum speed of 25 knots, and will be equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODOG) propulsion system and will accommodate aboard more 1000 people than more than 700 as personal military or civilian transport.
The LHD has its main mission in the transport of personnel, vehicles and loads of various nature and the transfer of groundwater to port areas through onboard systems and in areas not equipped with boats of various kinds (including small units landing type LCM with loading capacity up to 60 tonnes, four of which can be recaptured, rented and recovered through a floodable basin located on the stern of the ship).
The military use profile of the LHD provides for the transport and disembarkation, in equipped and unequipped areas, of troops, military vehicles and logistic equipment using the equipment and means of transfer provided.
The civil employment profile includes:
- Healthcare and hospital support
- Transport and landing also in areas not equipped with personnel and means of rescue rotated or cingolated
- Supply of potable water on land through abrasives on board or ship deposits
- Supply of ground electrical current for a power of 2000 kw and distribution of the same through converter-controlled conversion and distribution units
- Possibility to accommodate on a specialist staff or to hire civilian personnel up to 700 units plus a similar number in consecrated housing units
- Base for rescue operations by helicopters and organic endowment vessels
Equipped with large loading areas inside (approximately 4500 sq.m. between basin-garage and hangar-garage) and a continuous open deck suitable for receiving different types of vehicles, containers and helicopters, the unit can perform multiple missions both military and civil.
The various load stowage areas are accessible through aft and side ramps, and load handling will be entrusted to internal ramps and elevators.
A fully equipped hospital with surgical rooms, radiology and analysis, dental office, and 28 hospitalization area will be present on board (additional hospitalizations are possible in suitably equipped container modules.
