The "Lerici" Class, built for the Italian Navy and delivered by 1985, is the "founder' of the family of intermarine minehunters. The ship has a length of almost 50 m and a displacement of 570 t. Two separate propulsion systems are installed: For transit and normal navigation the ship is propelled by one diesel engine (made by GMT) driving one controllable pitch propeller, giving the ship speed in excess of 14 knots.
For precise navigation over the minefield the ship is propelled by three auxiliary thrusters (made by Riva Calzoni), each driven by an electro-hydraulic motor, and can achieve a speed of 6 knots. Both propulsion systems are integrated with the autopilot. Electric power is generated by three diesel generators, all of them located above the water line to minimise the magnetic signature and the underwater-irradiated noise. The Combat System consists mainly of a DATAMAT Command and Control system, a Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) made by FIAR for mine discovery and classification, and two different Mine Disposal Vehicles, the MIN (supplied by Consorzio Riva - Elsag) and the Pluto (supplied by Gaymarine). ELMER is the supplier of the Communication system, and the armament consists of a 20 mm. gun
Lerici Class - Four (4) Ships Dimensions (L x w) (m.) 49,98 x 9,56 Guns 20 mm Displacement (t.) 570 Sonar V.D.S. type - FIAR SQQ-14/IT Speed (knots) 14.5 Radar S.M.A. SPN/703 Crew 48 M.D.V. 1 Pluto Range at 12 knots 2500 nm M.D.V. 2 MIN Engines n. 1 GMT diesel engine, type B230.8M (1.176 kW) Precise navigation Motorola MHS 1C Propellers n.1 Controllable Pitch Command and Control Datamat SSN-714 Minehunting propulsion n.3 Azimuthal Thrusters (88 kW each)