MC Freccia (Family)

Description

The Motoconvertibili Freccia class was a group of 2 convertible gunboats derived from the MC Lampo class built for the Marina Militare Italiana during the Cold War.

Vehicles

Rank IV

• MC 590, Freccia P-493

Rank V

• MC 591, Saetta P-494

History

The MC Freccia class was a class of 2 ships built in the 1960s as the evolution of the earlier Lampo class. Only two of the four planned units were built between 1963 and 1966. The other two units would have been named Dardo and Strale. They had a convertible armament configuration:

Gunboat configuration:

• three 40 mm/70 Breda-Bofors type 107 autocannons
• two 40 mm/70 Breda-Bofors type 107 autocannons and an anti-ship missile launcher (Nettuno)

Torpedo boat configuration:

• two 40 mm/70 Breda-Bofors type 107 autocannons and two torpedo launchers
• one 40 mm/70 Breda-Bofors type 107 autocannon and four torpedo launchers

Mine-layer configuration:

• one 40 mm/70 Breda-Bofors type 107 autocannon and mines

Anti-submarine lookout configuration:

• two 40 mm/70 Breda-Bofors type 107 autocannons and two hoppers for depth charges

Ship name	Builder	Setting	Launch	Entry in Service	Final Destiny
MC 590, Freccia P-493	CNR - Riva Trigoso	30 aprile 1963	9 gennaio 1965	6 luglio 1965	15 settembre 1984 15 febbraio 1985	Disarmed in 1984, and disbarred in 1985
MC 591, Saetta P-494	CRDA - Monfalcone	11 giugno 1964	11 aprile 1965	25 aprile 1966	15 maggio 1986	Disarmed, and disbarred in 1985
Dardo P-495	Cantieri navali Tosi di Taranto	11 giugno 1964	Never Launched	No service	Never completed, the construction was permanently cancelled in 1972
Strale	Cantieri navali Tosi di Taranto	Never been set	Never Launched	No service	Never completed, the construction was permanently cancelled in 1972