The Italian ship that may be the US Navy's future frigate
The helmsman, left, and navigator, right, guide the Alpino into Baltimore Harbor after a transit up the Chesapeake Bay. (David B. Larter/Staff)One of the two bays in the Alpino's helicopter hanger has an NH90 folded up inside. (David B. Larter/Staff)The crew and embarked Marines onboard the Italian FREMM Alpino participate in a weekly evening colors ceremony on the flight deck. (David B. Larter/Staff)A sailor mans the Italian FREMM Alpino's 25mm gun mounted on the bridge wing. It is primarily used for force protection. (David B. Larter/Staff)The Italian FREMM Alpino's air boss reviews the preflight checklist, with the aircrew looking on. (David B. Larter/Staff)The Italian warship comes equipped with no fewer than five espresso machines. (David B. Larter/Staff)A member of the aircrew walks across the flight deck to prepare for an afternoon flight in the Alpino's NH90 helicopter. (David B. Larter/Staff)The Italian FREMM Alpino is underway off the coast of Virginia during its 2018 deployment to the East Coast. (David B. Larter/Staff)The Italian FREMM Alpino prepares to deploy its variable-depth sonar. (David B. Larter/Staff)
The contracts will detail the level of commercial capability the service needs in peacetime and provide a means to access more capacity during conflict.