Italian frigate's low‑cost strategy against Houthi drones in Red Sea

Numerous warships from the US Navy and units from European countries patrol the coasts of Yemen. Among them is the Italian frigate ITS Virginio Fasan, which has effectively neutralised Houthi drones at a surprisingly low expense. Here, we delve into the methodology behind this success.

For several months, the Houthis have launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles, anti-ship missiles, and basic drones. The drones primarily include models from the Qasef or Samad series. The Qasef is a smaller drone, measuring approximately 2.5 meters in length and 3 meters in wingspan, capable of carrying a payload of about 30 kilograms over a distance of up to 150 kilometres. In contrast, the Samad is a larger design that can travel between 500 to 1,500 kilometres, carrying payloads of up to 40 kilograms.

Given the relatively inexpensive nature of these drones, using missiles that cost millions of pounds each to shoot them down poses a significant issue. This is especially because Houthi drones travel slowly and follow a programmed path, making them relatively easy targets.

To reduce expenses, the crews of French and Italian ships have started employing Leonardo OTO 76/62 mm Super Rapido (SR) naval guns to shoot down drones. They mainly utilize standard fragmentation, explosive shells, or precision DART projectiles for targets beyond the range of conventional ammunition.

The Leonardo OTO 76/62 mm Super Rapido naval guns, a standard on many NATO country ships, are versatile weapons. When paired with a fire control radar and ballistic computer, they can use DART-type ammunition to target ground or surface threats and aerial ones, like incoming anti-ship missiles.

These guided projectiles, like those in the Starstreak system, contain a payload of tungsten darts that obliterate the target with kinetic energy. Their effective range extends to about 8 kilometres, and they cost significantly less than a CAMM or Aster-15/30 missile, though still costing tens of thousands of pounds per unit.

However, facing simple targets, the crew of the Italian frigate might opt for ordinary fragmentation shells worth only a few thousand pounds each, as they have in the past. The effective range for such shells is likely less than that of DART ammunition, but one or several shots, with the aid of a ballistic computer, suffice to down a target on a predictable path.

Meanwhile, the Leonardo OTO 76/62 mm Super Rapido cannon is a relatively lightweight, water-cooled design, weighing about 7,900 kilograms (without ammunition), and characterized by a firing rate of up to 120 rounds per minute. Standard ammunition can reach land or surface targets up to 16 kilometres away, and with sub-calibre Vulcano 76 ammunition, this range increases to 40 kilometres.