TAKING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO SEA
NRV Alliance
NRV Alliance is a 93-metre, 3,100-tonne global-class research vessel, purpose-built to minimise radiated underwater noise, making it an optimal platform for advanced research in sonar sensing and underwater acoustics. Capable of economically cruising at 11 knots over a range of 7,200 nautical miles, the vessel offers an endurance of 26 days – enabling sustained research deployments in remote maritime regions.
On board, NRV Alliance features 400 square metres of laboratory space, comprising wet labs, computing systems, and robust network connectivity. A full suite of hull-mounted sensors and powerful deck-handling equipment—including winches, cranes and launch/recovery systems—enables the deployment of a wide range of oceanographic and acoustic systems. These include towed and moored arrays, autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, and specialised instrumentation.
Ice-strengthened for polar operations, NRV Alliance remains a versatile platform and has supported missions ranging from deep-ocean anti-submarine warfare (ASW) trials to multi-vehicle autonomy experiments and high-resolution bathymetric mapping in Arctic regions.
CRV Leonardo
CRV Leonardo, a 29-metre, 433-tonne coastal vessel, is purpose-designed for short-range scientific missions. Like NRV Alliance, it operates with minimal underwater radiated noise, making it ideally suited to coastal acoustic research. The vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning system capable of maintaining station within one metre and operates at quiet speeds of up to five knots. With accommodation for up to 20 personnel on day missions and 12 berths for overnight use, CRV Leonardo offers 35 square metres of laboratory space, expandable via a six-metre containerised lab module.
Planning for the future
CMRE’s Marine Operations Division maintains a rigorous maintenance programme to extend the service life of both vessels. In this context, CRV Leonardo underwent its Intermediate Survey in 2025, successfully addressing key areas for improvement, while NRV Alliance is scheduled for its Intermediate Survey in 2026.
Future planned upgrades for NRV Alliance include the installation of a new tow winch system and a fully integrated maritime internet communication solution. To ensure uninterrupted high-speed connectivity, CRV Leonardo will also be equipped with a cutting-edge satellite internet solution. These enhancements will further cement NATO CMRE’s position at the forefront of maritime research, autonomous operations, and undersea sensing technologies.
CMRE delivers its at-sea research, experimentation and technology demonstration programmes through two NATO-owned research vessels: the NATO Research Vessel (NRV) Alliance and the Coastal Research Vessel (CRV) Leonardo. Operated under the Italian Navy flag since 2016, both ships are crewed by experienced Italian Navy personnel.
NRV Alliance & CRV Leonardo