The program concerning the design, development and acquisition of a new Major Hydro-Oceanographic Ship (NIOM), destined to replace the now obsolete Magnaghi ship, is more than ever an essential condition for the conservation of an adequate hydro-oceanographic capacity of high ground, which can ensure, without interruption, the fulfillment of the institutional tasks pertaining to the “State Hydrographic Service”, avoiding the need for a dangerous “capacity gap” in this area.
The NIOM, which will be part of the Hydrographic Ships and Experiences Squadron of the Italian Navy, will generally have the following characteristics: displacement of 5,400 t, length of 106 meters and width of 18 meters.
In addition, the platform, thanks to a full electric steering and propulsion system, will ensure excellent performance in terms of performance, autonomy and environmental impact; it will in fact be possible to develop a maximum speed of at least 15 knots, an autonomy of up to 7000 miles at 12 knots, guarantee a neutral energy profile, or even operate at zero emissions for periods of 7 days (a necessary condition in carrying out activities inside particularly vulnerable areas, such as marine protected areas).
In accordance with the most modern criteria of modularity and flexibility, the Unit will also have the ability to be reconfigured according to the assigned mission. It will be equipped with large work areas suitable for hosting numerous types of scientific equipment for marine environmental monitoring, dry and wet laboratories, core drills, systems for launching and recovering underwater vehicles and sensors.
Further flexibility will be given to the platform by the presence of a flight deck for “medium heavy” helicopters of the SH / MR-90 class.
The Unit will be able to manage a variety of assets and modular loads such as specific utility boats, buoys, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), as well as capable of carrying out the following operations: towing of hydro-oceanographic, geophysical and seismological equipment and sensors; water sampling along the entire operational depth and in the first layers of the seabed; sounding and sounding of the seabed.
The oceanographic data collected by the NIOM will support climate models aimed at studying climate change, thus contributing to decisions regarding the actions to be taken to mitigate its effects. This particular feature, in addition to the strong dual use and inter-agency vocation of the program, has allowed the company to enjoy the full support of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the first case with regard to a project of the Ministry of Defense.
This initiative, coordinated with the contribution of the Naval Armaments Directorate within the General Secretariat of Defense, is considered virtuous as it combines research in an important sector for Italy and for the entire international community, such as the environment and the sea, with industrial development thanks to the financial instruments made available by Europe.
Source Informazioni della Difesa magazine