Italy eyes naval drone carrier opportunities under Project Sciamano
An artist’s impression of Portugal's Plataforma Naval Multifuncional ship. The Italian Sciamano project looks to be taking a similar approach. (Image: Portuguese MoD)
Italy has revealed details of a new programme to develop a naval vessel designed to act as a mothership for uncrewed systems.
The programme, dubbed Sciamano, aims to deliver a concept design for the Sciamano Drone Carrier (SDC). The SDC will feature a control, command and communication (C3) network intended to operate drone swarms along with dedicated launch and recovery systems (LARS).
According to a document published by the Italian MoD in October, work on Sciamano will start with a study phase, focused on setting out requirements and identifying appropriate technologies.
The effort will then move on to conceptual design of subsystems, a critical stage that will help steer technical and operational requirements for the SDC.
Phase 2 will involve creation of a virtual model of
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