76mm Sovraponte



Overview

76mm Sovraponte

Right side view of 76mm Sovraponte naval gun mounted on the helicopter hangar of an Italian navy Thaon di Revel class vessel.
Source: Z3144228 - © CC BY-SA 4.0

Origin
Italy
Type
Naval gun
Entered service
2022 or 2023
Status
In service
Development
2010's
Developer
Italy - Leonardo
Production
Early 2020's - present
Producer
Italy - Leonardo
Number produced
About a dozen
Designations
Sovraponte
Italian for "above deck"
Notable users
Italy
Netherlands - (on order)
Belgium - (on order)

Description

Introduction

The Sovraponte is a modern era naval gun of Italian origin. It is developed as a more flexible alternative to the older 76mm guns. As the name Sovraponte ("above deck") implies it is has no deck penetration, allowing it to be placed in more locations on vessels. This is significant since it is also marketed as a close-in weapon system, with guided munitions providing more standoff range to smaller caliber CIWS. The CIWS role requires a wider coverage in traverse and downward angle than a classic naval gun on the bow normally allows for.

Design

Sovraponte incorporates many of the technologies associated with the 76mm Super Rapid gun mount. These included the 76mm 62-caliber gun barrel, parts of the feed mechanism and optional Strales radar beam guidance system. The angled housing results in a reduced radar signature. All ammunition is housed above deck. There are 76 shells on mount.

Guidance

The Sovraponte gun mount is unmanned and relies on external inputs to function. These inputs are either based on radar, location data or an optronic director. Sovraponte can fire the regular range of 76mm NATO naval ammunition, plus long range Vulcano 76 and the guided DART. Vulcano 76 comes in several variants with ranges of 30 to 40 km and may feature terminal guidance. DART munitions for close-in defense can maneuver up to 20 G in flight. These are guided by either the on-mount Strales radar or external radar inputs. Rate of fire remains undisclosed for now. A 120 rpm estimate puts it in line with the 76mm Super Rapid on which the Sovraponte was based.

Firepower

Sovraponte fires the usual selection of 76mm shells for use against surface targets and aerial targets. Furthermore the DART and Vulcano families of ammunition can be fired. There are 76 shells on mount which may be of different types since the autoloader selects the correct ammunition type.

Users

Sovraponte was introduced in service on the Thaon di Revel class of the Italian navy. Sovraponte was also selected for the Dutch-Belgian ASWF batch of frigates. Additionally the Sovraponte was ordered by the Netherlands to replace several Goalkeeper close-in weapon systems in 2025 on two of the De Zeven Provinciën class frigates and the Johan de Witt class landing platform dock.

Details

Facts 76mm Sovraponte
General
Origin
Italy
Type
Naval gun
Ordnance
Type
76mm L/62
Rate of fire
120 rpm (estimate)
Range
16 km for SAPOM
20 km for SAPOMER
Over 8 km for DART
Over 40 km for Vulcano 76 GLR
Muzzle velocity
About 925 m/s
Mount
Feed mechanism
Automatic loader, selectable shell type
Ammunition
76 shells on mount
Traverse
360° coverage
Elevation
-15° to +85° (estimate)
Operation
Crew
None on mount
Fire control
External fire control using radar or optronic director
Munitions guidance
Optional Strales system with Ka-band radar on mount for DART radar beam riding munitions
Dimensions
Weight
4.7 to 5.5 t empty (estimate, quoted 30% to 40% reduction over 76mm Super Rapid)
Length
About 7 m
Width
About 3 m
Height
About 3 m
Deck penetration
None, except cabling

Media

Related articles

76mm Super Rapid

The Sovraponte is based on the technology of the 76mm Super Rapid.

Read more about 76mm Compatto

30mm Goalkeeper

In the Dutch navy the Sovraponte will replace some of the existing Goalkeeper close-in weapon systems. This is the first occasion in which a large caliber guided munition replaces a small caliber system with high volume of fire.

Read more about 30mm Goalkeeper