Experiences ship Raffaele Rossetti was launched at the Picchiotti Shipyards in Viareggio on July 12, 1986, and delivered to the Italian Navy on December 20, the same year. Based in La Spezia, she has been fully operational, sailing for over 20,000 nautical miles.

Specifically designed for experiments, new technologies tests in relation to weapon and platform systems, the unit is mainly operated by the Permanent Commission for Experiments on War Materials at La Spezia.

During her 20 years plus of activity, ITS Rossetti has been engaged in several patrol and coastal surveillance operations, assistance to international sailing Regattas; she took part in the “Campagna Archeologica Subacquea Argentario 2002” (Underwater Aecheologic Campaign Argentario 2002), as well as in several national exercises, electroacoustic and electro-mechanic experiments, and training activities.

Raffaele Rossetti was born in Genoa on July 12, 1881. In 1906 became Lt. Commander Naval Engineer, assigned to the Taranto Arsenale first, and to La Spezia later. In 1915, at the outbreak of World War I, he invented the SLC (Slow Moving Torpedo), start concept of the most famous "pig" used during World War II. These insidious devices were piloted by men in scuba-diving gear who traveled riding the weapon; the head of the torpedo contained an explosive load that was detached underwater and applied to the hull of the enemy ship.

On the night of October 31, 1918, using this insidious device, Lt. Rossetti and Lt. Paolucci attacked the Austrian dreadnought Viribus Unitis which capsized minutes after the blast. For his heroic deed, Lt. Rossetti was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour.

In the Crest, underneath the Unit’s silhouette, is depicted the Rossetti's self-propelled torpedo ridden by two operators (the Gamma team). On top is the Roman towered crown with rostra and in the lower part the motto of the ship, as to highlight her origins as a fighting ship and her present task to conduct trials of new equipment for the Italian Navy.