Fincantieri LSS 130 Overview
The LSS 130 is a Fincantieri logistic support ship design for underway support of naval task groups. It is a 130m vessel with a full-load displacement of 14,000 tons, intended to combine replenishment-at-sea, stores carriage, onboard technical support, healthcare and limited self-defense within a compact fleet auxiliary platform.
The design should not be confused with Fincantieri’s larger Vulcano-class logistic support ships. The LSS 130 is a distinct 130m configuration, with its own dimensions, combat-system fit and aviation capacity.
Logistic Support and Replenishment Role
The ship is designed to transport and transfer both liquid and solid cargo to other fleet units during side-by-side operations at sea. Liquid cargo categories include diesel fuel, aviation fuel and fresh water, while solid stores include emergency spare parts, food and ammunition. Two refuelling and replenishment stations provide the ship’s principal underway transfer capability.
Fincantieri also assigns the vessel a technical-support role. Fully equipped workshops enable mechanical and electronic repairs or maintenance work for other ships at sea, extending the endurance of a deployed task group without requiring an immediate return to port.
Mission Facilities and Dual-Use Capability
The LSS 130 includes dedicated depots for ammunition and missiles, as well as storage for fresh and frozen food. Its onboard hospital gives the ship a significant medical-support function for naval operations and crisis response. The design is also intended for dual-use missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief support for civilian populations.
The vessel accommodates a crew of 100 and provides 120 berthing places. Aviation facilities include a flight deck rated for an EH-101-class medium helicopter and a hangar arranged for recovery and maintenance of one EH-101.
Combat System and Self-Defense
The standard combat-system fit is focused on command and control, communications, navigation and self-protection rather than offensive combat. The listed mission systems include a combat management system, integrated internal and external communications, an integrated navigation system, two navigation radars, a helo deck radar, a 2D RAN 21S surveillance radar, IFF interrogator and transponder systems, an infrared surveillance system, obstacle-avoidance sonar and diver-detection sonar.
The standard gun armament identified for the LSS 130 is two 12.7mm secondary-caliber guns. Fincantieri lists several additional systems as fitted-for or with space reserved, including an electronic-warfare system, fire-control system, quick-point device system, a 76/62mm main-caliber gun, decoy-launching system, torpedo-detection system and reaction-management system. These should be treated as reserved or optional provisions unless specified in a customer configuration.
Propulsion and Performance
The propulsion arrangement is a CODAD plant with two diesel engines driving two FCPP lines. Electrical power is supplied by four diesel generators and an emergency diesel generator. The ship’s published maximum speed is 18 knots, with a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. Principal hull dimensions include a 22.0m moulded breadth and a 7.0m design moulded draught.
