Interview with Commander Riccardo Chericoni, Commanding Officer of Thaon di Revel

Thaon di Revel is an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Italian Navy. Within the Marina Militare, she is classified as a multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel or Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura, PPA.

CDR Chericoni, you must be proud to be in command of ITS Thaon di Revel. Equipped with the latest generation of modular and scalable combat systems, she represents a huge leap in technology.

Indeed, it is a great honour to command of the Thaon di Revel. The Thaon di Revel is a radical new approach to multi-mission warfare. A highly versatile combat ship, she blends cutting-edge digital technologies with advanced combat capabilities.

What would you say is particularly distinctive?

 The innovations cover almost every aspect of the ship; amongst these are the wave-piercing ‘axe bow’ designed hull, the integration of advanced IT systems and the stern area under the flight deck housing two multifunction mission bays, with the forward zone equipped for embarking up to five mission specific containers and the aft zone featuring a slipway with a launch and recovery system for rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs). But the standout feature is without doubt the “naval cockpit”, centred on a twin-seat station on the navigation bridge, manned by the navigating officer and the bridge watch officer – our ‘pilots’. Drawing inspiration from aviation technology, it is a major leap forward in vessel management, merging sensors, weapon systems, communication technologies and combat functions into a streamlined interface that dynamically adjusts to different mission requirements, prioritising critical information and automatic routine tasks. This allows for rapid and coordinated responses to any situation. To drive the ship, the ‘pilots’ use joysticks and ‘hands-on-throttle-and-stick’ (HOTAS) controls to handle the ship’s navigation, platform systems, and combat functions and they can view, via advanced digital consoles, the information of the propulsion, power generation, and platform security control and monitoring subsystems on three large multifunction touch-screen displays.

The innovative twin-station ‘cockpit’ navigation bridge. The central console features three large multifunction colour displays at either side of the cockpit and a large number of switches, lights and knobs, very similar to that of an aircraft or helicopter. [Guy Toremans]Another state-of-the-art feature is the Seastema’s SeasNavy Integrated Comprehensive Ship Management Station (Postazione Integrata di Controllo Nave – PICN), jointly developed by Selex ES and Fincantieri. This PICN ensures a permanent surveillance, identification and control of all technical components, interfaces with all platform systems, integrates seamlessly with the Combat Management System (CMS) and the ship’s maintenance systems. Particular attention has also been paid to cyber defence and secure networks, with protection assured by both onboard and shore-based security operations centres. Without doubt, the Italian Navy’s PPAs are setting a new standard for modern naval vessels.

The hull has 14 water- and gas-tight bulkheads, while the ship itself is divided into two self-contained damage control zones, each divided in six subzones that operate independently for the generation and distribution of electrical power and detection of flooding, fires, smoke and toxic hazards. The indigenously developed integrated battle damage control system – the so-called Stabilisation and Safety Informatic Supervisor (Supervisore Informatizzato Sicurezza e stabilità – SISS) controls and activates all firefighting equipment. The critical areas and compartments are remotely monitored by numerous CCTV cameras and 900 smoke and temperature detectors strategically placed throughout the ship. Our extensive array of firefighting equipment includes. multiple fire suppression systems, high-capacity bilge pumps, a NOVEC fixed and semifixed systems, portable fire extinguisher low expansion foam systems, high-pressure demineralised water nebulization system, high pressure water sprinklers, CO₂ firefighting systems in the enclosed engine rooms. The hangar and the flight deck are equipped with F500 hoses and an AFFF water hose. And for NBC protection, the PPAs are fitted with a detection system, filters and dampers for air conditioning, an overpressure citadel, a pre-washing system and a decontamination station.

Given the density of the sensors on the topside structure, what about the electromagnetic compatibility to manage the interference risks associated with radar, communication, and electronic warfare systems?

Significant effort has been devoted to testing electromagnetic compatibility to manage the interference risks associated with radar, communication, and electronic warfare (EW) systems. This work has been supported by Ingegneria Dei Sistemi (IDS), Fincantieri’s Cetena Research and Development Centre, and our Navy’s Experimental and Support Centre (CSSN). We have incorporated cutting-edge design solutions to mitigate interference, including specialised shielding and frequency management protocols. Additionally, our systems are tested extensively to ensure they can operate simultaneously without causing disruption. Regular maintenance and updates ensure this integration remains effective.

Which tasks and missions are usually assigned to your ship?

ITS Thaon di Revel and her sisterships are designed for global deployment and have the capacity to conduct complex symmetric and asymmetric warfare missions in both blue waters as well as littoral areas. Being one of the two ‘light’ variants, our primary missions include patrolling Italy’s territorial and EEZ waters, conduct surveillance and maritime security tasks such as anti-piracy and combating illegal trafficking, as well as contributing to international missions with NATO and other Allied nations. Thanks to our modularity and adaptability the ship can seamlessly transition from military operations to provide support and assistance during to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) operations and peace support missions. If necessary, we can even embark specific modules that may also involve a strong cooperation with civilian emergency organisations, such as the Red Cross.

ITS Thaon di Revel can also serve as a command platform. In August 2022, staff members of Operation AGENOR embarked on board. What facilities are provided for an embarked staff?

The ship is equipped with latest generation of communication and coordination facilities. There are dedicated spaces for an embarked staff of up to 30 crew, who have at their disposal a briefing and planning room, secure communication systems, and several workstations. The ship’s network is designed to support real-time data sharing and command coordination across multiple units and allied forces, making it an ideal platform for managing operations at sea and even ashore. If needed, we can also embark specific containerised command and control modules.

Between 20 November and 18 December 2022 your ship also played a key role in establishing a security framework during the FIFA Football World Cup in Qatar. What was learned from this mission?

From Operation AGENOR, we learned the importance of how to integrate multinational staff quickly and effectively into the ship’s operations. We enhanced our ability to work collaboratively in a high-stakes maritime security environment. As for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the mission required close coordination with local and international partners to ensure maritime security during a major global event. We learned valuable lessons about conducting security operations in a highly visible, politically sensitive environment while maintaining a high readiness for any potential threats

Your ship also has the capability to support humanitarian aid/disaster relief operations?

What facilities and equipment are installed, or can be embarked on board?

We can embark medical modules and shelters, different types of vehicles, specific hospital and medical equipment, as well as ample storage space for medical supplies and emergency provisions. which makes the ship an excellent platform for providing emergency aid and supporting in crisis situations. The ship features a NATO Role 1 medical facility including a medical treatment room, a sickbay, a dental cabin and a small laboratory. These facilities can be expanded to a Role 2 by embarking medical modules in the reconfigurable mission bay and the area between the superstructure blocks. The PPAs are the first ships in the Italian Navy to feature a 690V/60Hz electrical system with the capacity to provide 2 MW of power ashore, our diesel generators capable to generate sufficient energy and water, we can support small communities of about 6,000 people with power and drinking water. This capability is critical in situations where local power grids are compromised, and ensures that we can contribute to stabilisation efforts in affected regions.

Being a very innovative unit, how are the crew members prepared prior coming on board?

Given the advanced technology, we place a strong emphasis on familiarising (new) crewmembers with our modular combat system, advanced radar, and communications infrastructure from day one. The crew members undergo specialised training, including both theoretical tuition on the ship’s systems and tailored naval drills. They follow a two-week course at the Navy Programming Centre, followed by another two weeks for the Platform System instruction and another week for the Combat System training. Piloting the ‘naval cockpit’ in particular requires specific training. The instruction takes place on the simulators in our Navy’s training centres, as well as at the Leonardo, Fincantieri NexTech and Seastema companies. And it goes without saying, the “on-the-job” training continues when we are at sea.

With a core crew of 137 do you think this number is sufficient when you have to operate in a high-intensity operation, while simultaneously having to cope with the high risk of DC/FF?

Thanks to the automation and advanced systems onboard a crew of 137 is sufficient for most standard missions. However, when we simulated ‘worst case’ scenarios in 6-on/6-off watch routines during which ‘action stations’ were called and the crew had to face warlike situations or were engaged in high-intensity operations and with a lot of complicated DC/FF situations thrown-in simultaneously, we saw that a crew of 137 was not sufficient to continue responding effectively during extended periods of time. Consequently, we are considering to augment the core crew of the PPAs.

As you mentioned previously, both your ship and ITS Francesco Morosini – the second of the class -are ‘Light’ variant PPAs. But the Italian Navy plans to upgrade both PPAs. What will this include and what is the anticipated timeframe to carry out this upgrade?

Indeed, we are to be upgraded to the ‘full combat’ configuration. This will include the installation of a complete anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare suite made up of the Leonardo’s Kronos Quad C StarFire X-band AESA radars, two eight-cell DCNS Sylver A50 launchers for MBDA Aster 15/30 air-defence missiles (as is the ‘Light Plus’ version). It will also be fitted for the Mk 2/E extended-range version of MBDA Otomat/Teseo anti-ship missile, the DSS-IRST system, the OLDS decoy launchers, as well as the launch and recovery system (LARS) for the ATAS towed sonar. But is not decided yet when this upgrade will be implemented. However, following the lessons-learned of our first three years of service, we are already in the process to enhance both ships’ radar systems, and communication equipment and studying how to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), which will significantly enhance our surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. In due course these systems’ effectiveness are going to be tested in a variety of operational scenarios.

Commanding a ship like the Thaon di Revel requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills. The journey to this position has been both challenging and rewarding

Commanding a highly versatile ship like Thaon di Revel requires constant attention to mission accomplishment while ensuring that the crew remains motivated, trained, and well-supported. The toughest challenge is balancing the operational demands of the ship with the welfare and training of my crew. Maintaining this balance, especially during long deployments or high-stress situations, is both challenging and rewarding

CDR CHERICONI, grazie mille for granting this interview and for the possibility to visit on board.

The interview was conducted by Guy Toremans. Guy Toremans is a freelance naval journalist based in Belgium.