MM Cavour C550

The ship is designed to combine VSTOL and helicopter air operations, amphibious operations, and the transport of military or civil personnel and heavy vehicles. She has extensive command and control facilities and is the flagship for the Italian Navy, taken over from from the carrier, MM Garibaldi C551, which held that distinctionm until Cavour was placed in service.

The hanger can double as vehicle parking, holding up to 24 tanks or many more lighter vehicles. The hangar has side access ramps for ROR operations as as well as two elevators to the flight deck.

Thje Cavour is also designed to take the new, 5th generation STOVL JSF fighter, the F-35B, with which Italy is a partner country. The Cavour can hold up to ten F-35Bs in her hanger, and oanther six F-35Bs on deck if necessary. These aircraft will be very serious enhancements over the Harriers the Cavour currently embarks in her airwing. Normall, the Cavour carrier 12 fioghters, and then the airwing is augmebnted by AEW helos, ASW helos, and SAR helos.

Cavour has been named after the Italian politician Count Camillo Benso di Cavour.