Durand de la Penne - class destroyer The Durand de la Penne class destroyers are two guided missile destroyer s operated by the Marina Militare , the Italian navy . The design is an updated version of the " Audace " class destroyer s but these ships are larger , have CODOG machinery and modern sensors . Initially four ships were planned but the second pair were cancelled as Italy had decided to join the " Horizon " project . Origins . This class is named after a famous naval diver who served in the Regia Marina during World War II , Luigi Durand de la Penne . He , together with other members of X MAS made the most successful human torpedo mission , damaging the British battleships " Queen Elizabeth " and " Valiant " in Alexandria , December 1941 , with SLCs ' Maiale ' . These new ships were meant as very advanced destroyers , with an improvement over the previous types in almost every aspect of design . Because the ships in Marina Militare Italiana are seldom built from scratch ( especially for economic reasons ) , it ' s worth considering the evolution of this project , starting by the first class of missile destroyers made in Italy . With progressive calls for better performances , this class evolved into the final design for the Durand de la Penne class destroyer . The first step of this ' cumulative growth ' was the " Impavido " class destroyer s , the firsts DDG of the Marina Militare , but still a version of the Impetuoso class destroyer s . The " Impavido " class ships were commissioned in the early 1960s , and they were roughly equals to the USS " Charles F . Adams " class destroyer . Both shared Tartar missile system , with an Mk 13 launcher , around 40 missiles and two Fire Control radars , all this was fitted in the aft of the ship . Both had also two single guns , but American ships had these in single mountings and in a new model , the Mk 42 , one at fore and the other at aft , while the Impavido made use of an older Mk 38 dual turret . One difference was the secondary weaponry . While both had lightweight torpedo launchers , the rest was different . Adams had an ASROC launcher , dedicated to ASW tasks , to help counter the growing number of Soviet submarines . Impavido did not have such systems , but instead had four model MM ( Marina Militare ) guns . In the Mediterranean there was always the danger of air attacks as the main threat to ships , and this usually led to the construction of many Italian warships with a heavier short - range air defence armament than normal . This is not true for oceanic ships , less endangered by aircraft and more by submarines . The relative danger to the Royal Navy in the Falklands War was due , mainly , to the excessive optimization to fight Soviet submarines , so after this war the RN made many improvements in the air defence field - including installation of many Close - In Weapon System s . In service the MM guns were not considered satisfactory , despite having decisive improvements over the older American guns . Reliability left a lot to desire , while the lack of a totally automatic mode of fire proved a disadvantage . Not coincidentally , no first generation Italian guns had any export success . In the early years of the 1970s , a new pair of destroyers was commissioned , the " Audace " class destroyer s . They were built somewhat bigger , to accommodate the solution to one of the most serious weakness of the previous Impavido class , the lack of an ASW helicopter hangar . Agusta had navalized the Bell 212 helicopter and two of these were accommodate in a hangar , practically framed with the Tartar launcher , in the same relatively small superstructure . The guns remained in the same location , number , and caliber , but they were totally new models , developed in those years : the Otobreda Compact and Otobreda 127 / 54 Compact . The latter was and is a very powerful weapon , with a rate of fire of 40 - 45 shells per minute , and projected to be an efficient anti - aircraft weapon . They have a greater maximum elevation and higher rate of fire than their rough equivalent , the USA 5 " / 54 caliber Mark 45 gun , but also have higher weight and volume requirements . Two were in fore positions , at different heights to shoot at the same target . They were controlled by the new RTN - 10X radar , an advanced type for its times that was also adopted by the Royal Navy for some of its ships . Midship there were four Otobreda 76 mm cannons . They were and are reliable , fast - firing and light weapons , capable of sustaining a rate of fire of 80 rounds a minute and actually the most widespread weapon of its class ( also because there are practically no competitors ) . These guns also had fire control radars , one for every flank . Towards the aft of the ship there was the Tartar launcher with the two Agusta helicopters able to make ASW and limited anti - ship tasks . For ASW this ships also had both light ( two triple 12 . 8 inch ) and heavy ( two dual 533 mm ) torpedo launchers , and Whitehead A . 244 ( light ) and A . 192 ( heavy ) torpedoes , 12 for each type . These were very modern and advanced in their days and the heavier type were able to be used also against ships within their range . So the Audace class had two different types of guns and two different types of torpedoes , a characteristic without parallel in other navies . The class was not perfect however . Despite the powerful six - gun armament , none of them was able to fire directly aft of the ship , leaving this quarter only to the Tartar missile system , a weapon not meant to provide close air defence ( this will be rectified with the de la Penne class ) . The artillery was also very good employed against aircraft , but somewhat lacking against missiles ( despite the very short time required to fire after the alarm was given ) , while there were no SSM missiles on board , to strike naval target over the horizon ( except the use of the obsolete AS - 12 missile from helicopters ) , so this role could only be accomplished by guns within the 20 - range of the gun systems . The powerplant was still a steam - turbine type , quite bulky and obsolete , but their were enough to achieve around and quite a good range . The ship ' s dimensions were again a bit cramped , accommodating all the equipment and the crew ( 380 ) on board a relatively small hull . The heavy load of ammunitions was a serious potential danger for the ship . Also because the superstructure was built of light aluminium alloys , prone to burn in a heavy fire . At the end of the 1980s , while the Impavidos were phased out , the Audaces were modernized . The second gun ( in ' B ' position ) was replaced by an 8 - round Albatross / Aspide system . Eight long range Otomat missiles were fitted at midship , between the four guns , now replaced with the Super - Rapid sub - type , which were much better fitted against missiles . Heavy torpedo were removed and overall the capabilities were improved in AAW and anti - ship tasks . Audace was one of the best , if not the best destroyer of its time . There were some shortcomings to face however , and technical evolution to consider , while Impavido were too old to be considered good for other updates . So in the 1980s development of a new class of destroyers was begun . Initially known as " ' Audace " migliorata ' class , or Class " Animoso " , then they had the final name of " de la Penne " Class . Initially there were projects for three DARDO CIWS , but these were then replaced by Super - Rapid guns which were considered superior . This and the partial redesign of the ship to gain a reduced RCS were the main alterations during the engineering . The power - plant was planned with new generation machineries : a CODAG configuration , diesel for cruising , and gas - turbines for high speed . This provided more endurance , less weight , with less space needed , less danger ( no boilers ) and were more responsive than steam turbines . Superstructure components were made mainly of steel and not the flammable aluminium . Some armour was added as well in the vital sectors . All this caused an increase in displacement , from the original 3 , 600 / 4 , 500 tons of " Audace " , to 4 , 500 / 5 , 400 tons . Overall dimension were also increased . General project . The " Durand de Le Penne " is an escort and combat class ships , able to operate in every combat condition , and especially devised to survive to heavy missile and aircraft attacks . Its construction is made almost totally with steel ; the structure is a continuous deck with a low , large stern , to accommodate the helicopter ' s force . The fore hull is very pointed , with a very pronounced sea - cutter structure . The superstructure consists of two blocks , relatively low and wide , both with a high , antenna mast with a triangular cross - section for all the electronic . The engines exhausts are in two groups , one for each superstructure : the aft has two exhausts flank to flank , slightly inclined . Then there is the Standard missile system and finally the helicopter ' s facilities . The ship itself is built to be much more difficult to sink by enemy action than the previous types , with many bulkheads and anti - fire systems . Many of the main communication lines and computers are duplicated , and there is a NBC system for the crew . Stealthness is partially applied , with reduction of RCS , heat , noise and magnetic signatures . The speed , given by a CODAG system , is high ( 31knots ) but not so high like previous Audace , also because the modern ships seldom has need of speeds over . The endurance , automation and economy are more important , as well as the compact design of this power - plant . The powerplant is based on two General Electric LM - 2500 gas turbines , one of the most successful naval turbines , and 2 diesels . One of each are linked with one shaft fitted with a propeller with 5 blades . The entire propulsion system is controlled remotely ; no crew is needed inside the powerplant section in normal situations . As for vulnerability and general characteristics , these ships , while prestigious , were a bit smaller than was actually needed . In fact , the weapon ( and explosives ) concentration is very high . In the foredeck , in less than 20 m there are 3 medium caliber guns , with over 200 shells just behind the deck ready for use , surrounding the Aspide system , that has 16 or 24x230 kg missiles just below the deck . The aft superstructure is equally heavily armed , with a gun , 2 helicopters and 40 SM - 1 / 2 missiles ( the combined weight of the latter 24 tonnes , with over 1 T high - explosive ) , plus the ASW torpedo stores ( several Mk 46 or A244 torpedoes ) , in less than 25 m . Also because of this , the crew complement , at 380 , is larger than as in other modern ships : a large crew is absolutely required to control damage or fire . Although the class is criticized for the small displacement related to their equipment , the previous " Audace " were even more cramped : they were 900t lighter , quite smaller , with a bulky powerplant ; however , in their latest update they had the same armament , plus an extra Super - Rapido gun ( 4 instead of 3 ) . Another criticism aimed at these ships is the lack of vertical launchers , not purchased by Marina Militare because of financial constraints , choosing instead to modernize the Impavido ' s launchers for de la Penne new destroyers . So " de la Penne " are the last and maybe the most powerful of the " conventional missile destroyers " . this came at a cost , however : 1500mld . Lire for both these ships ( 1981 - 1993 program ) , partially because a large production run could not be afforded by Marina Militare for such big ships ( so no economies of scale were obtained ) . Weaponry . These ships have an overall shape that appears as large , low , and aggressive . A direct consequence of their armament and the special features of sloped surfaces ( because of stealth principles ) . Weapon systems include a guns battery scattered over all the ship , which helps to make its profile well recognizable . As anti - aircraft equipment , there are 6 weapons , of four different types : Standard SM - 1 launcher Mk13 , Albatross - Aspide , 1 gun Compatto 127 / 54 mm , 3 guns Super - Rapid of 76 mm caliber . All these weapons covers all the horizon , giving an air defence able to stop quite heavy attacks , especially from the front , because the majority of these is placed on foredeck . If the Standard missiles , with their 2 SPG radar are dedicated to the air defence at longer ranges , the rest is a medium - short range weaponry . Having Aspide / Sea Sparrow launchers , these ships are one of the fews that possessed both these systems ( standard and Sparrow class missiles ) . Aspide are very advanced missiles ( with monopulse guide from the start of service , 1977 ) , but they are almost identical to Sea Sparrow . In fact , these latter were mass - produced by Alenia before the start of the Aspide , so this experience was a cleary advantage to project such new missiles , but all the systems inside ( warhead , guide , engine ) were new and much improved respect to the old Sparrow - E , and roughly equal to Sparrow - M , not yet available in 1977 . 16 missiles are in the magazines , but a Riva - Calzoni system can load quickly 4 at once in the 8 cell launcher , so these missiles are quickly reloadable ( the Sparrow launchers have manual reloading ) . The Compatto 127 mm gun is that dismount by " Audace " s DDG ' s when Aspide was fitted . It was modernized before its re - utilization on " de la Penne " . The OTO Super - Rapido are powerful weapons for its caliber , and despite CIWS defence is normally delegated to smaller calibers , they have mainly this task . They can shoot 120 RPM , shells with sophisticated fuses , and engage at even anti - ship missiles . It is claimed by OTO that these guns can engage until 4 missiles before they reaches the ship . In every case , they have whipped the contenders like Dardo 40 mm guns and the new Myriad , 25 mm gatling CIWS ( that had not awarded any commercial success ) , despite its 10 . 000 rpm . Four RTN - 30 radar - optical system controls such weapons , 2 fore and 2 aft , so no all the weapons can shot simultaneously at different targets . As anti - ship weapons , there are Otomat , missiles with a very long range ( 180 km or more ) , with mid - course guide by AB - 212s , sea skimmer capability and a warhead . They born as Franco - Italian program , but only Italians ordered them ( and a dozen other navies as well ) while French navy ordered only the national Exocet , despite a much shorter range . The main characteristic of OTOMAT , the long range , ironically , is achieved thanks to Microturbo engine , the main French effort for this missile . The MILAS version , an ASW missile with a light torpedo , was developed for ranges until , but still not acquired by French navy despite the needing to replace the MALAFON missile . 8 missiles are placed at mid - ship , between the two main superstructures . The aft superstructure has a very concentrated set of weapons ( just like foredeck ) . In the hangar superstructure there are 2 AB - 212ASW , 1 Super - Rapido gun , and the 40 missiles of the Mk 13 launcher , probably now utilizing SM - 2MR missiles , an eventual big improvement over the original in almost every respect . Standard missiles are capable to attack also naval vessels . As electronic systems there is a complete suite with dedicated systems for all the tasks . As radar , there 11 different system . There are : Service . " Durand de la Penne " was in service with Marina Militare Italiana starting from 1993 , followed one year later by " Mimbelli " . These two ships , together with the two old " Audace " , were the bulk of Italian navy ' s air defence , especially before that AV - 8 Harrier , armed with AMRAAM , began fully operational . But even so , these were available only in " Garibaldi " task force . These missile destroyers have performed well as command ship in several deployment even over Mediterranean sea , and the last of their missions was related to the Italian peacekeeping force in Lebanon . At the time the best non - AEGIS air - defence ships , " de la Penne " have important roles in Italian navy . Now that " Audace " are decommissioned , " de la Penne " will remain the only missile destroyers ( and the only ship with area defence - missiles ) for some time , until the new Horizon will be operative . Although they are still quite young ships , it does not seem that they will be updated significatively with new air defence systems . Like almost all Italian ships , they were designed with a modern and effective armament , but retained the same for their entire operative lives . Minor changes are or will are made : the compatibility with one EH101 heavy helicopter or 2 NH90 ( enhancing the helicopters capabilities , now still on AB - 212s ) equipped with new sensors , ASW torpedoes A . 290 IMPACT and the Marte Mk 2 anti - ship missile , over the new ASW missiles MILAS , and quite obviously , continuous updates on the computers and electronic systems , that brings much improved performances even if externally there is almost no difference to notice . Another important improvement will be the adoption of guided ammunition for the guns : Vulcano projectile for , with an extended range of 70 – 100 km , meant as coastal bombing , is a quantum leap forward compared to the traditional artillery rounds ( similar to a new models developed in USA ) , while DAVIDE ( guided ) or DART ( sabot projectile ) will further enhance the already very powerful anti - missile defence of these ships . There are no plans , currently , to equip them with EMPAR / ASTER missile systems .