Etna-class replenishment oiler. The Etna class is a ship class of two naval replenishment and logistic support ships in operation by the Italian Navy and by the Hellenic Navy The two ships have similar hulls but have differences in their armament and sensor equipment.

General characteristics 
The first ship of the class, , measures  long overall with a beam of  and a draught of . The ship has a standard displacement of  and a full load displacement of . Designated a "command and logistics ship" by the Italian Navy, the vessel is powered by two Sulzer 12V-ZAV-405 diesel engines turning two shafts creating . This gives the ship a maximum speed of  and a range of  at . Etna can be operated by a crew numbering as few as 160 or as many as 240 personnel.

Etna has capacity for  of fuel oil,  of aviation fuel,  of lubrication oil, and  of fresh water. The ship also has  of capacity for ammunition and other stores. The vessel is fitted with two 50-tonne cranes. The vessel is equipped with NATO Role 2+ hospital facilities and a workshop for helicopter operations and a machine shop for repairs on the hull and equipment on engines. There is also an electro-mechanical workshop. Etna has a  flight deck capable of operating one helicopter of light, medium, or heavy types. The ship is fitted with a hangar that can store one AB-212, SH-3D, NH-90 or EH-101 helicopter. The ship has four replenishment at sea (RAS) systems, two of which are capable of transferring solid stores and one aft, which can only be used for refueling.

The vessel is fitted for but not with an OTO Melara close-in weapon system (CIWS) and a Selex fire control system and electronic support measures. Etna is armed with two /90-calibre machine guns. The ship is equipped with a Selex RASS surface search radar. As a command ship, Etna also features two staff rooms and an operations room.

Prometheus subclass
The second ship of the class, the Greek , has similar characteristics to Etna, but significant differences in armament. Prometheus is armed with eight Rheinmetall  guns and smaller, portable arms. The ship can also operate and store a single S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk helicopter. The vessel is fitted with AN/SPS-10D surface search radar.

Ships in class

Construction and career

Etna
Fincantieri shipyards were awarded the contract for Etna in July 1995, and the ship was launched on 12 July 1997. The ship was delivered to the Italian Navy in February 1998, with the vessel commissioning on 29 July. Etnas main role is to fully support the long-range missions of a naval squadron, which would typically include an aircraft carrier and complete escort. Additionally, Etna has to be in position to refuel the squadron, including the air wing of the carrier, and also provide full logistic support in terms of repair workshops, spare parts, ammunition replenishment and supplies. The ship can play a crucial role in civil protection operations when asked. The ship has high autonomous capacity to provide electrical power, fresh water and prepared meals and also has fully equipped hospital and medical facilities on board. The ship has often participated in national and multinational naval exercises. The vessel served as part of Italy's commitment to Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf in 1999/2000 and again in 2006. In 2004, Etna operated in the western Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation Active Endeavour. In 2009/2010, Etna operated in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean as part of the multinational effort to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia as part of Operation Atalanta.

HS Prometheus
The construction of HS Prometheus began in Elefsina on 18 February 2000, at the Elefsis Shipyards. The ship was launched on 19 February 2002, and commissioned into the Hellenic Navy on 8 July 2003.

Gallery

References

External links

 Etna (A 5326) Marina Militare website

Auxiliary ships of the Italian Navy
Auxiliary replenishment ship classes