Guide to the Cavour, Italy's 28,000-ton Aircraft Carrier That Carries F-35B Stealth Fighters But Is No Nimitz-Class

Italy’s new flagship carrier, the Cavour, is a 28,000+ ton, conventionally powered STOVL ship built by Fincantieri and designed to operate F-35B stealth fighters via a 234-meter ski-jump deck. The vessel exceeds 28 knots on four gas turbines and has a 7,000-nautical-mile range at 16 knots. Typically, it carries 18–20 F-35Bs or AV-8B Harriers, plus helicopters such as EH101 and NH90. Its self-defense includes Aster 15 missile cells, 76mm guns, and 25mm cannons. Italy declared initial operational capability for an embarked joint F-35B air wing in 2024, expanding strike and SEAD missions far from home.