Name Etna Laid down 4 July 1995 Construction started 4 July 1995 Length 146 m Displacement 12.16 million kg | Ordered 3 January 1995 Commissioned 29 August 1998 Launched 12 July 1997 Weight 13,620 tons Builder Fincantieri | |
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Identification - Pennant number A 5326
- Hull number 5957 Class and type Etna-class replenishment oiler | ||
Etna is an auxiliary ship that entered service with the Marina Militare in 1998.
She is designed to support fleet operations with fuel and dry stores.
Etna is the Italian single vessel of Etna class with a sister ship, HS Prometheus, was built under licence in Greece and entered service with the Hellenic Navy in 2003.
Contents
Design and construction
Etna is the fifth Italian ship to bear the name. She was ordered in July 1995, and was built by Fincantieri at the Riva Trigoso Naval Shipyard. She was launched in July 1997, and underwent sea trials during November before delivery to the Italian Navy in February 1998.
Etna is designed as a support ship able to supply a larger squadron at sea. As such, she has the capability to refuel ships, produce fresh water, and carry cargo. She has a cargo capacity of up to 10,100 tons of diesel fuel, 1,200 tons of aviation fuel for aircraft on aircraft carriers, 160 tons of fresh water, and up to twelve containers of solid goods. She has a length between perpendiculars of 138.8 metres (455 ft), and an overall length of 146 metres (479 ft). Her beam is 21 metres (69 ft), and she draws 7.5 metres (25 ft). She is powered by two Sulzer diesel engines, which drive two propellers through reduction gearing. This system gives Etna a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph), though she has the greatest range (7,600 nautical miles (14,100 km; 8,700 mi)) at a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).
Armament
Etna is equipped with minimal armament and an electronic warfare support measures system. The ship is also equipped with an Alenia Marconi Systems radar, a Selex command system and an Elmer MAC communications system.
Service history
In March 2011, Etna was deployed to the coast of Libya as part of Operation Unified Protector, a NATO operation to enforce an arms embargo on Libya.