Innovative Italian Warship Design

[Sedalia Dave]

 

 

I received a question in the mailbox this morning that asked why Italy's new Thaon di Revel class patrol ships have this unique bow design. 

This double bow design is, for lack of a better term, a best of both Worlds design. The upper and lower hull forms of the bow each excel in a certain function. Putting them together combines these functions!

The lower bow protrusion increases the ship's efficiency by increasing her waterline length and resulting in a finer length-to-beam ratio. Typically, a longer narrower hull glides through the water more easily than a shorter, stouter hull form. Many ships are adopting inverted bows for this very reason. 

However, inverted bows typically perform more poorly in heavy seas compared to a conventional clipper bow design. Clipper bows, being more rakes and featuring greater flare, catch more water/spray. They divert this water away, preventing most of it from spilling onto the deck.

For the Thaon di Revel class, Italian designers have probably done the simplest solution available. They have taken the lower bow that is more akin to that of an inverted design and simply grafted it to a conventional upper bow. The resulting double bow design is more efficient than a conventional bow and rides dryer than an inverted bow. 

The Occam's Razor of Bow Design.

[Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372]

But how does it work in reverse?  I mean, it's Italian.....

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

Italy has a long history of making things that run fast and handle well.

Their double bow theory is sound enough they've invested funds and effort to build one.

Be interested to see her in action!

[Pat Riot]

I wonder how she turns in heavy seas? 
 

Definitely a cool design. 
 

That is one funky anchor. 

[Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619]

11 hours ago, Redleg Reilly, SASS #46372 said:

I mean, it's Italian.....

 

I have six or seven Italian guns and they are real good!