Cavour

talian aircraft carrier, Cavour
Italian aircraft carrier Cavour photo by:Armando Mancini

Cavour (Italian: portaerei Cavour) is an Italian aircraft carrier launched in 2004. She is the flagship of the Italian Navy.

Cavour 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 134 m (440 ft), 2,800 m2 (30,000 sq ft) 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 was laid down by Fincantieri in June 2001, and was launched from the Riva Trigoso shipyard in Sestri Levante, on 20 July 2004. Sea trials began in December 2006, and she was officially commissioned 27 March 2008. Full operational capability (FOC) was reached 10 June 2009.

The Italian navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), he French navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91)
The Italian navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), front, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the French navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91), conduct operations in the Gulf of Oman
aircraft carrier, cavour, warship
La portaerei Cavour ormeggiata a Civitavecchia, photo by Gaetano56