FREMM Frigate Bergamini unveiled

From Mer et Marine, and with implications in the DB:

http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=119189

For now, six commanded frigates:

F590 Carlo Bergamini: General purpose variant, shore bombardment.

F591 Virginio Fasan: ASW variant.

F592 Carlo Margottini: ASW variant.

F593 Luigi Rizzo: ASW variant.

F594 unnamed: ASW variant.

F595 unnamed: General purpose variant, shore bombardment.

Main differences:

The main gun in the General purpose variant is a 127mm/64 OTO Melara LW.

The main gun in the ASW variant is a 76mm/62 OTO Melara Super Rapid.

(and another aft 76mm gun and 2x25mm/80 OTO Melara Oerlikon single guns in both variants, the French variant has only a forward 76mm).

Missiles General purpose variant: 8xOtomat Mk2 Block IV/Teseo Mk2/A.

Missiles ASW variant: 4xOtomat+4xMilas.

(and 16xVLS Aster 15 in both variants). Also, the Italian FREMM would be retrofitted with ASTER 30, the French ones is not capable. Note, at start only 16xVLS, not 32 as previously reported, and present in the French variant, see this picture: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/6..._bergamini4.JPG

Torpedoes: apparently 2x2 torpedo tubes in the General purpose variant and 2x3 torpedo tubes in the ASW variant, for MU-90 torpedos.

Sonar: both variants with TMS 4110 CL (Hull). The ASW variant adds a UMS 4229 CAPTAS (Towed). In the General purpose variant the room of the towed sonar is occupied by a dock for assault boats.

Other commons:

Radar: both Italian variants with EMPAR NG, not EMPAR.

Helicopters: both variants with 2xNH-90 or 1xNH-90+1xEH-101 (large helicopter capable) (The French FREMM are only capables of one helicopter).

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/FREMM