{{short description|Italian aircraft carrier}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Cavour (550).jpg | image_caption = }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = Italy | flag = {{shipboxflag|Italy|naval}} | name = ''Cavour''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/ships/Pagine/cavour.aspx |title=Cavour – Marina Militare |publisher=Marina.difesa.it |access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> | namesake = [[Camillo Benso, conte di Cavour]] | ordered = 22 November 2000 | builder = [[Fincantieri]] | original_cost = *[[Euro|€]]1.39 [[billion]] (2010) | laid_down = 17 July 2001 | launched = 20 July 2004 | commissioned = 27 March 2008 | in_service = 10 June 2009 | out_of_service = | struck = | reinstated = | homeport = [[Taranto]] | motto = ''In arduis servare mentem'' To keep the mind in the arduous (latin) | identification = [[Pennant number]]: 550 | honours = | fate = | status = Active | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | type = [[Aircraft carrier]] | displacement = *{{convert|27,100|MT|LT|abbr=off|lk=in}}<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/11489451/The-worlds-largest-and-most-powerful-aircraft-carriers-in-pictures.html?frame=3241952|title=The world's largest and most powerful aircraft carriers, in pictures|date=23 March 2015|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> (30,000 MT full load)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/features/feature-the-10-biggest-aircraft-carriers_4067861-4067861/|title=The 10 biggest aircraft carriers – Naval Technology|date=5 July 2017}}</ref> | length = *– {{convert|244|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[length overall|LOA]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fincantieri.com/en/products-and-services/naval-vessels/cavour-class/ |title=Cavour Class |publisher=Fincantieri.com |access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> | beam = *– {{convert|29.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} * – {{convert|39|m|ftin|abbr=on}} moulded breadth | draught = {{convert|8.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | draft = | propulsion = *– [[COGAG]] scheme * – 2 × shafts * – 4 × [[Avio|General Electric/Avio]] [[General Electric LM2500|LM2500+]] [[gas turbine]]s providing {{convert|88,000|kW|bhp|abbr=on}} * – 6 × diesel generators [[Wärtsilä|Wärtsila CW 12V200]] {{convert|13,200|kW|bhp|abbr=on}} | speed = {{convert|29|kn|lk=in}} (Max sustained speed, 85% MCR) | range = {{convert|7000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|16|kn}} | complement = *– 1,202 (90 more on option) of which: * – 5 Flag Officers and VIPs * – 486 crew * – 211 embarked air wing * – 140 [[C4ISTAR|C<sup>4</sup>]] staff * – 360 troops (90 more on option) | sensors = *– [[Selex RAN-40L]] 3D L-band long-range radar<ref name=finnmeccanicaran40L>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval.finmeccanica.com/-/a-bordo-nave-cavour-ship-on-board|title=Finmeccanica on board of Cavour – Detail – Finmeccanica Naval Capabilities|work=finmeccanica.com|access-date=18 January 2016}}</ref> * – Selex ES [[EMPAR]] (SPY-790) multifunction radar * – Selex ES RAN-30X/I RASS (SPS-791) surface radar<ref name=finnmeccanicaran40L/> * – 2 × SELEX ES RTN-25X Orion, fire direction radars * – PAR (Precision Approach Radar) Selex ES MM/SPN-720 * – PALS (Precision Approach and Landing System) Telephonics AN/SPN-41A <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040913005707/en/Griffon-Subsidiary-Announces-3.6-Million-Contract-Award |title=Griffon Subsidiary Announces $3.6 Million Contract Award from Italian Navy for Aircraft Carrier Landing System; Telephonics Continues Expansion into European Markets |publisher=Business Wire |date=13 September 2004 |access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> * – 2 × GEM Elettronica MM/SPN-753(v)10 navigation radars * – Selex ES SIR-R/S [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] system<ref name=finnmeccanicaran40L/> * – TACAN SRN-15 A * – WASS SNA-2000 Mine Avoidance Sonar ([http://www.leonardocompany.com/-/thesan Leonardo Thesan]) * – 2 × Selex ES IRST [http://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/63265270/65876477/SASS_LQ_mm08124_.pdf?download_file. SASS (Silent Acquisition and Surveillance System)] * – GEM Elettronica IRST EOSS-100 * – underwater telephone | EW = *– [https://web.archive.org/web/20161201080325/http://www.elettronica-elt-roma.com/download/NETTUNO-4100.pdf Elettronica Spa NETTUNO-4100] ECM System * – EW System (RESM/CESM, RECM) | armament = *4 × 8-cell A-43 [[Sylver (missile launcher)|Sylver launchers]] carrying the [[MBDA Aster|MBDA Aster 15]] [[surface-to-air missile]] * 2 × [[OTO Melara]] [[Otobreda 76 mm|76/62 mm Strales]] guns * 3 × [[OTO Melara]] 25/80 gun with [[Oerlikon KBA]] 25mm * 2 × ODLS-H/ODLS [[OTO Melara]] decoy launching systems | armour = | aircraft = *– flight deck: {{convert|232.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} × {{convert|34.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} * – 20–30<ref name=nt1>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/num/ |title=Cavour Aircraft Carrier, Italy |publisher=Naval-technology.com |access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> * hangar capacity: * – {{convert|134.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} × {{convert|21.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}} * – 10 × [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]] * – 12 × [[AgustaWestland AW101]] * - [[Baykar Bayraktar TB3|LBA Systems Bayraktar TB3]] (future)<ref name="Cavour TB3 Naval News1">{{cite web |title=Italian Navy to Fly TB3 Drones from Cavour Aircraft Carrier |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/italian-navy-to-fly-tb3-drones-from-cavour-aircraft-carrier/ |website=Naval News |date=March 2026 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260401150743/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/italian-navy-to-fly-tb3-drones-from-cavour-aircraft-carrier/ |archive-date=2026-04-01 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-08}}</ref> | notes = 4 [[Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel|LCVP]] }} }}
'''''Cavour''''' ({{langx|it|Portaerei Cavour}}) is an Italian [[aircraft carrier]] launched in 2004. It is the [[flagship]] of the [[Italian Navy]].
==Design== [[File:Carriers Cavour (550) - Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and Charles de Gaulle (R91) underway in 2013.JPG|thumb|left|''Cavour'' (foreground) operating with {{USS|Harry S. Truman||2}} (middle) and {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}} (background) in the [[Gulf of Oman]], 2014 ]] [[File:Cavour Napoli.jpg|thumb|left|''Cavour'' maneuvering in the [[Gulf of Naples]]]] The ship is designed to combine fixed-wing [[V/STOL]] and helicopter air operations, command and control operations, and the transport of military or civil personnel and heavy vehicles. The {{Convert|134|m|ft|abbr=on}}, {{Convert|2,800|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} [[hangar]] space can double as a vehicle hold capable of holding up to 24 main battle tanks (typically [[Ariete]]) or many more lighter vehicles (50 [[Dardo IFV]], 100+ [[Iveco LMV]]), and is fitted aft with access ramps rated to 70 tons, as well as two elevators rated up to 30 tons for aircraft. ''Cavour'' can also operate as [[landing platform helicopter]], accommodating heavy transport helicopters ([[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland UH-101A ASH]]) and 325 marines (91 more, on option).<ref>{{Cite web |author=Michele Cosentino |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/editoria/marivista/Documents/2010/07_lug/Cosentino.pdf |title=Dal Garibaldi al Cavour |trans-title=From Garibaldi to Cavour |work=Rivista Marittima-Luglio |year=2010 |pages=43–56 |language=it |access-date=30 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201020352/http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/editoria/marivista/Documents/2010/07_lug/Cosentino.pdf}}</ref> The ''Cavour'' has a displacement of 27,900 tons but can reach more than 30,000 tons at full military capacity.<ref name="auto"/>
It complemented the Italian Navy's other aircraft carrier, the {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Giuseppe Garibaldi|551|2}}, before the older ship was decommissioned in 2024.
The Italian Navy will replace its 16 [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|Harriers]] with 15 (originally 22) [[Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II]]s.<ref name="AW120405">{{cite journal | title=Navies Worldwide Invest In Sea-Based Airpower | date=5 April 2012 | first1=Andy | last1= Nativi | first2= Jay | last2= Menon | first3=Bill | last3=Sweetman | journal=Aviation Week}}</ref> By May 2020, the modernization to allow ''Cavour'' to support the F-35B was completed, and the carrier was ready for subsequent integration trials.<ref name="navyrecognition">{{cite web |title=Italian Navy Cavour Aircraft Carrier ready for F-35B integration tests |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2020/italian-navy-cavour-aircraft-carrier-ready-for-f-35b-integration-tests |website=Navy Recognition |access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref> ''Cavour'' will have room for ten F-35Bs in the hangar, and six more parked on deck.<ref name="AW120405" />
In March 2026, the Italian Navy announced plans to acquire the Turkish-developed [[Bayraktar TB3]] unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) to operate from ''Cavour''. The acquisition is being facilitated through a strategic partnership between [[Baykar]] and [[Leonardo S.p.A.|Leonardo]] (via the LBA Systems Joint Venture). The TB3, which features folding wings and short-take-off capability, will provide the carrier with organic fixed-wing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike capabilities, functioning as a cost-effective complement to the F-35B fleet.<ref name="NavalNews2026">{{cite web |last1=Ozberk |first1=Tayfun |title=Italian Navy to fly TB3 drones from Cavour aircraft carrier |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/italian-navy-to-fly-tb3-drones-from-cavour-aircraft-carrier/ |website=Naval News |access-date=30 March 2026 |date=30 March 2026}}</ref>
==Name== The ship was named in honor of [[Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour]] (after proposals such as [[Luigi Einaudi]] and [[Andrea Doria]] were discarded) and became the NUM (New Major Unit) of the Italian Navy, joining the aircraft carrier ''Giuseppe Garibaldi''. Its name holds historical significance for the Italian Navy, as a tribute to the strong impetus that Count of Cavour gave to the expansion and development of the Italian Navy, born from the fusion of the pre-unification navies, in the aftermath of Italy's unification.
==Construction== ''Cavour'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] by [[Fincantieri]] in June 2001,<!--originally said 17 July--> and was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] from the [[Riva Trigoso]] shipyard at [[Sestri Levante]], on 20 July 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-694637521.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924204718/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-694637521.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Italian Navy Launches Conte di Cavour-Class Carrier|work=Sea Power|date=1 September 2004|access-date=23 June 2015|url-access=}}</ref> [[Sea trial]]s began in December 2006, and she was officially [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 27 March 2008. Full operational capability (FOC) was reached on 10 June 2009.
==Service history== [[File:Cavour in Civitavecchia.jpg|thumb|''Cavour'' docked at Civitavecchia (near Rome) with frigate ''Carlo Bergamini'' and a full cast of cruise ships on 30 October 2023]] On 19 January 2010, ''Cavour'' was dispatched to Haiti as part of [[Operation White Crane]], Italy's operation for [[2010 Haiti earthquake]] relief.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/photostory/primopiano/2010/02/04/visualizza_new.html_1680466314.html |title=Photostory: Portaerei Cavour, gli aiuti per Haiti |language=it |publisher=ANSA |date=4 February 2010 |access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> This was the first mission of the aircraft carrier, where it supplemented international efforts to provide relief for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2010/01/16/foto/portaerei_cavour-1975744/1/ |title=La portaerei Cavour pronta a partire per Haiti |date=16 January 2010 |language=it |publisher= La Repubblica |access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>
In 2013 Cavour, an active warship, was used for a [[Pirelli]] press presentation for the new Angel GT motorcycle tires. At that commercial event the guests stayed overnight on the ship and [https://testmotor.nl/getest/2013-2/test-pirelli-angel-gt-sporttoer-motorbanden/ rode motorcycles on the flight deck].
It was reported that modernization works on ''Cavour'' has been completed. In May 2020, it was announced the Italian aircraft carrier would undertake a preparatory training before sailing to the U.S. where the ship would conduct trials with the [[F-35 STOVL|F-35B STOVL]].<ref name="navyrecognition" /> In February 2021, ''Cavour'' deployed to the United States for its initial period of flying trials with the F-35B. This saw the ship engage in four weeks of verification to determine the performance envelope of the aircraft when operating from the flight deck, using a pair of aircraft from [[VX-23]], the US Navy's Test and Evaluation Squadron. Once these trials were completed, and the ship was passed for operation of the F-35B, it would move to the next phase of fixed-wing flying trials, which would see Italy's own aircraft begin operating from the carrier.<ref>{{cite web |title=The aircraft carrier ITS Cavour started Sea Trials to achieve her "Ready For Operation" certification |url=https://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/Conosciamoci/notizie/Pagine/20210303_the_aircraft_carrier_its_cavour_started_sea_trials.aspx |date=3 March 2021 |publisher=Marina Militaire |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref> On 9 March 2021, {{USNS|John Lenthall}} replenished her in the western [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Italian Navy Capt. Giancarlo Ciappina, commanding officer, Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) |url=http://www.dvidshub.net/image/6553702/italian-navy-capt-giancarlo-ciappina-commanding-officer-italian-aircraft-carrier-its-cavour-cvh-550 |access-date=2021-03-24 |website=DVIDS}}</ref> Then on 20 March, she operated alongside {{USS|Gerald R. Ford}} in the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-22|title=USS Gerald R. Ford Completes another Independent Steaming Event – Shock Trials are Next |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/uss-gerald-r-ford-completes-another-independent-steaming-event-shock-trials-are-next/ |access-date=2021-03-24|website=Naval News|language=en-US}}</ref> On 26 March, she was in [[Norfolk, Virginia]] when the F-35B trial was completed.<ref>{{Cite web|last= Reim|date= 2021-03-26|first= Garrett|title=F-35B completes sea trials on Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/f-35b-completes-sea-trials-on-italian-aircraft-carrier-its-cavour/143075.article |access-date=2021-03-30 |website=Flight Global}}</ref> She left Norfolk on 16 April and returned to homeport Taranto on 30 April.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2021/italian-navy-cavour-aircraft-carrier-is-back-in-italy-ready-for-operational-deployment-with-f-35b |access-date=2021-05-03 |website=Navy recognition |title=Italian Navy Cavour aircraft carrier is back in Italy ready for operational deployment with F-35B|date=2 May 2021 }}</ref> Initial operating capability for the F-35s is expected for 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/f-35b-lands-on-italian-acrrier-for-the-first-time/|title=F-35B lands on Italian carrier for the first time| work =UK Defence Journal|date=4 March 2021|accessdate=4 March 2021}}</ref>
In February 2022, she was part of interoperability training operations with the American carrier {{USS|Harry S. Truman||2}} and the French carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}} in the lead up to the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite news |title=NATO Allies Exercise Interoperability In The Mediterranean Sea|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/02/nato-allies-exercise-interoperability-in-the-mediterranean-sea/|date=6 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022}}</ref>
In June 2024, the ''Cavour'' Strike Group began a five-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=2024-06-05 |title=Italian Carrier Strike Group starts five-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/italian-carrier-strike-group-starts-five-month-deployment-to-the-indo-pacific/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref> On 5 and 6 October, [[Carrier battle group|carrier strike groups]] of the [[Indian Navy]] and the Italian Navy led by {{INS|Vikramaditya}} and ''Cavour'' and accompanied by {{INS|Visakhapatnam|D66|6}} and {{ship|Italian frigate|Alpino|F 594|2}} participated in a bilateral maritime exercise in the [[Arabian Sea]]. The exercise included aircraft like [[Mikoyan MiG-29K|MiG-29K]], [[F-35B]] and [[AV-8B Harrier II]] and integral helicopters. Operations in the sea phase included intense flight operations with fighter jets and helicopters for combined large force engagements, air combat missions, helicopter operations and [[search and rescue]] missions as well as co-ordinated weapon firings and joint manoeuvres to enhance joint operations, [[command and control]] capabilities and interoperability. The exercise also saw the participation of the [[Indian Air Force]]. During the harbour phase from 1 to 4 October, the exercise saw subject matter expert exchanges and other key interactions as well as a pre-sail planning conference.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India's MiG-29s Fly With F-35, Harrier Jets In Exercise With Italian Navy |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-mig-29s-fly-with-f-35-harrier-jets-in-exercise-with-italian-navy-6738703 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Kalyan |title=India-Italy maiden Carrier Strike Groups exercise off the West Coast |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-italy-maiden-carrier-strike-groups-exercise-off-the-west-coast-3223126 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Deccan Herald }}</ref><ref>{{cite twitter |number=1843298620159701160 |user=indiannavy |title=Historic bilateral #maritime engagement b/n #IndianNavy & @ItalianNavy... |date=2024-10-07 |access-date=2024-10-08}}</ref>
==See also== * [[List of naval ship classes in service]] * {{ship|Italian landing helicopter dock|Trieste}} * [[Italian Naval Aviation]] * [[Italian battleship Conte di Cavour]]
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==Sources== * {{cite book|editor=Jordan, John|publisher=Conway|location=London|year=2014|title=Warship 2014|isbn=978-1-84486-236-8|last=Cosentino|first=Michael|chapter=''Cavour'': A Multi-Role Aircraft Carrier for the Italian Navy|pages=93–111}}
==External links== {{commons category|Cavour (550)}} * [https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-navali/Pagine/Cavour.aspx Aircraft Carrier Cavour] Marina Militare website
{{Portal bar|Italy|Engineering}} {{Ship classes of the Marina Militare}} {{Aircraft carrier classes in service}} {{List of ships built by Fincantieri}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cavour (550)}} [[Category:Aircraft carriers of the Italian Navy]] [[Category:2004 ships]] [[Category:Aircraft carriers of Italy]] [[Category:2010 Haiti earthquake relief]] [[Category:Ships built by Fincantieri]]