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Sea and Navy

2013 INTERNATIONAL SHOWS
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Sea and Navy
MA RI T I ME SE CURI T Y
NE W SHI PS
SY S T E MS & SUBS Y S T E MS
AI RCR A F T
NAVAL FORCES
Focus on French Technology
Published by:
Ma r i t i me n e ws
www. s e a a n d n a v y. co m
Mer et Marine
www. mer et mar i ne. com

Sea and Navy
INTERNATIONAL SHOWS 2013 2
SEA AND NAVY PUBLISHED BY BRETAGNE-ONLINE BRETAGNE-ONLINE, GROUPE TLGRAMME 7 VOIE D'ACCS AU PORT 29600 MORLAIX (FRANCE) - CHAIRMAN DOUARD COUDURIER - PUBLICATION DIRECTOR OLIVIER CLECH
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GROIZELEAU vincent.groizeleau@meretmarine.com - CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR CAROLINE BRITZ caroline.britz@meretmarine.com - CONSULTING EDITOR GILDAS LE CUNFF DE KAGNAC glc@glcdk-media.com ENGLISH VERSION STEVE
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Naval power & geostrategy
Threats on the high seas
Maritime challenges: the big picture
Maritime surveillance
Accident prevention & management
MARITIME SAFETY & SECURITY
WARSHIPS
Force projection
Frigates
Corvettes & OPVs
Patrol vessels & interceptors
Commandos
Submarines
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SYSTEMS & SUBSYSTEMS
Inertial platforms
Space
Combat systems
Electronic
Guns
UxVs
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AIRCRAFT
Combat & surveillance aircraft
Helicopters
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Front cover:
French FREMM ( DCNS)
Commandos in action
( EUROCOPTER)
Aster test firing ( MBDA)
Chilean Navy Scorpene ( DCNS)
French-English
glossary of naval defence
Steve Dyson
E-book format.
Searchable and indexable.
First edition, v3.
ISBN: 978-989-97568-0-9
Lulu spotlight:
www.lulu.com/spotlight/SteveDyson
Focus on French Technology

Sea and Navy
PUISSANCE ARONAVALE
Naval power
& geostrategy
In recent years, maritime affairs have assumed such importance that
the future of the world is likely to depend on who commands the
seas. One thing is already clear: the 21st century will be the most
maritime in human history.
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Without a navy, we can neither
support war nor take advantage of
peace, is attributed to Jean-Baptiste
Colbert (1619-1683), celebrated father
of the renewal of the French Navy under
Louis XIV. Today, his statement is once
again as relevant as when it was first
uttered. In the decades since the end
of the cold war, the prospect of major
conflict has receded and international
trade has grown exponentially. And the
sea, host to all maritime transport and
virtually all that trade, has a central
role to play. Today, with 50,000 ships
and 1.5 million sailors, the worldwide
merchant fleet has become the main
vehicle of globalisation.
In 30 years, the volume of goods
transported by sea has increased five-
fold and is expected to double again
to reach 15 billion tonnes per year in
2020. But, while maritime transport
with its flexibility and competitive
pricing represents a major benefit for
international trade, it can also be its
Achilles Heel. The workings of the
global economy depend on the free
movement of shipping and unrestricted
access to strategic areas like the Gulf
of Aden, the Strait of Hormuz and the
Suez Canal. To ensure the security of
their strategic supply lines and protect
their economies, states typically
respond to regional crises, piracy and
similar developments by strengthening
their navies. Recent conflicts have
also underscored the importance
of unrestricted access to the sea to
support the global power projection
capability of powerful navies. At a
time when it is increasingly difficult for
major powers to deploy military force
into a conflict zone from a neighbouring
country, or even obtain permission
to overfly other countries territory to
strike targets far from existing bases,
naval force projection groups are,
thanks to the freedom of the seas, a
more valuable asset than ever before.
Advancing 1,000 kilometres a day,
they can deploy into a crisis zone more
flexibly than any other force.
From patrol boats to aircraft carriers,
from amphibious assault vessels and
special forces to submarines and
frigates armed with cruise missiles,
naval power offers a vast array of
options. It can be visible or covert,
depending on the objectives, and
can be used by any country with the
resources as both a deterrent and a
means of action. Emerging powers
such as China, India and Brazil are
investing heavily in their navies, clearly
demonstrating that a powerful navy is
still a key differentiator on the world
geostrategic stage. Indeed, it is surely
no coincidence that the five permanent
members of the UN Security Council
are also the only naval powers with
both aircraft carriers and nuclear-
powered ballistic-missile submarines.
Without going to this extreme, the vast
majority of countries are now building
up their naval forces, with the notable
exception of the European Union whose
members, politically divided and
possibly deluded by decades of peace,
are cutting military spending and
reducing the size of their naval fleets.
But the stakes are higher than ever.
Indeed, as natural resources dwindle,
the exploitation of marine deposits will
inevitably see extraordinary growth.
In oil and gas, minerals, fisheries
and marine renewable energy, a blue
revolution is taking place. Importantly,
over 70 countries have officially applied
to extend their maritime domains,
setting the scene for the emergence
of regional conflicts between countries
hungry for marine territory and
resources. In some parts of the world,
bitter territorial disputes have already
erupted and could easily lead to armed
conflict. And the situation is liable to
get worse in the years ahead. Many
countries have come to the realisation
that the only way to save their coveted
maritime domains from possible future
plunder is to acquire the means to
protect them by taking appropriate
action today.
Building on internationally acclaimed
expertise in naval defence and maritime
security, French defence contractors
are among the best placed to propose
innovative solutions meeting todays
challenges.
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Vincent GROIZELEAU
Editor-in-chief
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Sea and Navy

Sea and Navy
INTERNATIONAL SHOWS 2013 6 7
Sea and Navy

Threats on the high seas
With a rapidly expanding offshore sec-
tor, ever greater wealth in transit by
ship and a society that has become
extraordinarily dependent on the free-
dom of movement of merchant ship-
ping, maritime interests are a prime
target for enemies of the state and
terrorist groups. A lightning raid by a
small group with limited means can
wreak havoc on the world economys
critical infrastructure. Long neglected
due to a widespread lack of awareness
of the scale of the problem, maritime
Terrorism, organised crime, the pillaging of natural
resources, maritime disasters, illegal immigration
and trafcking The complexity of the maritime
threat environment continues to grow.
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terrorism is now a serious issue. As
the maritime sector faces a surge in
organised crime and piracy, with ships
being diverted and workers on offshore
platforms held hostage, stakeholders
everywhere are reappraising the risks.
Meanwhile, political instability and
poverty in many countries are com-
pounding an already difficult situation.
The sea is a prime setting for all
forms of trafficking. Go-fasts dart
across the Mediterranean to supply
the European market with drugs while
South American narco-traffickers build
mini-submarines in forested inlets,
undetected by maritime surveillance
systems, then cross the Caribbean to
make their deliveries.
Arms smugglers are prospering as
maritime trade expands, with assault
rifles and grenades hidden in shipping
containers and the holds of countless
ships sailing to every port in the world.
The sea is also a prime setting for illegal
immigration, with tens of thousands of
migrants seeking passage each year to
new lands of opportunity, many paying
with their lives.
And tremendous wealth lies on or
beneath the seabed untapped
mineral resources that are likely to give
rise to new territorial disputes in the
years ahead.
Tighter security and new technologies
are making rapid progress, but the
fact remains that coastlines around
the world are constantly exposed to
the risk of maritime disasters, and as
the number and size of the vessels
plying nearby shipping lanes continue
to grow, that risk is inexorably rising.
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British patrol boat in the Persian Gulf
The Limburg after 2002 attack
Illegal immigrants intercepted
Go-fast caught with illegal drugs
Illegal fshing in French EEZ in the Pacifc
SCURIT MARITIME

The scourge of piracy
Around 90% of world trade now relies
on maritime transport. Every day,
tankers laden with oil and gas from
the Persian Gulf head south towards
the Horn of Africa en route to the
economies of the West. There, they
are joined by container ships carrying
a large proportion of the world trade in
manufactured goods on its way from
China and southeast Asia. Off the coast
of Nigeria and in the Gulf of Guinea,
vast quantities of oil are extracted
from the seabed by offshore platforms.
Meanwhile, European and Asian fishing
vessels track down valued and highly
valuable tropical tuna in the Somali
Basin and the wider Indian Ocean.
Today, more than ever before, the sea
is where wealth is either created or in
transit.
Hardly surprising then that the seas
are coveted. Over the last decade or
so, spurred on by the explosive growth
in world trade, piracy has returned to
centre stage. Of course it had never
disappeared entirely witness the
numerous attacks on merchant ships
in the Strait of Malacca over the last
30 years. But piracy has changed.
Acts of piracy used to be crimes of
opportunity, with pirates clambering
aboard a passing ship to steal the
crews personal belongings. Today,
piracy has gained momentum and
become an organised activity on an
almost industrial scale. The modus
operandi of the Somali pirates that first
hit the headlines in 2005 has changed
the threat environment in a big way.
Todays pirates are heavily armed. They
board, take control and divert vessels,
sometimes for months at a time, then
hold the ship and her crew to ransom.
The scale of operations accelerated in
2006. By 2008, almost 1,000 sailors
were being held captive. Ship owners
and their insurers paid millions of dol-
lars in ransom and Western countries
grew nervous as the threat to strategic
sealanes became systematic. In re-
sponse, the European Union launched
operation Atalante in December 2008.
Naval and air patrols criss-crossed the
Gulf of Aden and the northern Indian
Ocean to improve sealane security. The
US Navys fifth fleet and Nato, along
with China, Japan and India, stepped up
zone surveillance as pirate operations
spread as far east as the Maldives
and south to the Kenyan coast.
Potential targets adopted a range of
responses from armed shipboard secu-
rity guards to travelling in convoys and
training crews in the best ways to deter
piracy. These measures are beginning
to produce results. As of early 2012,
the number of attacks off Somalia
had fallen significantly. But at what
price? And if the Horn of Africa is now
quieter, what about the Gulf of Guinea
where platform service vessels and
even tankers are subject to more and
more attacks? And what should we ex-
pect off the coasts of South America as
oil fields are developed there? Piracy is
clearly one of the most acute asymmet-
ric threats that the worlds navies will
have to face over the coming years.
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy

Big port complex in developed and emerging
countries
+300 +200 +100 +50 +10
Area of liquid and dry bulk loading
Annual port trafc (Mt)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
GPL
GNL
Oil
products
Crude Oil
Grain
soy
Coal
Iron Ore
0
Major trafc of liquid and dry bulk - 2012
0
5
10
15
Far East
Europe
Europe
Far East
Europe
North Am
North Am
Europe
North Am
Far East
Far East
North Am
Container trafc - 2011
M TEU Billions tons
Design and creation Paul TOURRET, ISEMAR
Octobre 2012
Sources: Port autorities, Clarkson, CTS
Maritime challenges:

the big picture

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy

Maritime surveillance
The increasing importance of maritime
interests and the parallel growth in risks
and threats from accidents at sea to
piracy, terrorism and illegal trafficking
have led many countries to consider
maritime safety & security (MSS)
systems to improve the surveillance
of coastlines and littorals, port
infrastructure and offshore facilities.
Integrated systems like VTS (Vessel
Traffic Service) are used to track
maritime traffic in ports and their
approaches, coastal shipping lanes and
straits by overlaying information from
various sensors and systems, including
radars, surveillance cameras and
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
transceivers carried by commercial
vessels. Sophisticated coastal
surveillance systems (CSSs) are also
being developed to cover larger areas
and federate additional subsystems.
The Malaysian sea surveillance system
(MSSS) covering the Strait of Malacca
comprises radars, AIS base stations
and laser illumination cameras,
along with control centres and fully-
automated remote sites. MSSS has
helped to reduce piracy. Indeed, the
number of incidents began to fall soon
after the system was commissioned,
explains Nol Le Floch, director of
sales & marketing of Signalis, the
world leader in this sector and part of
the EADS group. The company is the
result of the 2011 merger of Sofrelog
of France and Atlas Maritime Security
of Germany. Signalis developed and
delivered the MSSS system and has a
global presence.
Surveillance needs vary from region to
region. In Europe, the main challenges
are maritime accidents and illegal
trafficking, while Asia faces the
additional challenge of piracy. In the
Middle East, MSS systems focus
more on the prevention of terrorist
attacks and infrastructure protection.
Signalis recently installed a system to
protect critical infrastructure at one of
the regions key petrochemical sites.
Today, the company also offers land
and offshore surveillance systems.
Our value proposition is based
on the integration of a range of
subsystems and equipment into
federated systems that fuse incoming
data, make information available to
system operators in readily intelligible
formats and facilitate information
sharing. Signalis began developing
Spationav, Frances integrated coastal
surveillance network, in 2003 and has
won successive development contracts
confirming the companys capabilities.
Spationav receives data from coastal
signal stations, regional operational
centres of the CROSS surveillance
and rescue network and maritime
surveillance aircraft then makes the
resulting information available to
the relevant administrations (navy,
maritime affairs, customs, etc.) to give
each a real-time overview of maritime
traffic combined with direct access to
decision aids.
In compliance with the Spationav V2
contract awarded in August 2011,
Signalis is now modernising 54 coastal
radars and upgrading the IT system to
receive data from 100 or more sites.
More importantly, Spationav V2 will
exchange data with external partners,
including EU member states, paving
the way for international cooperation in
maritime surveillance.
Integrated surveillance systems are used to
monitor and control maritime trafc, harbour
activity and critical infrastructure in real time.
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Container terminal, Khor Fakkan, UAE
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Traffc display showing Strait of Dover
SCURIT MARITIME

Maritime surveillance depending crit-
ically on high-performance sensors,
manufacturers are constantly striving
to expand their product portfolios. In
coastal surveillance radar, solid state
technologies have replaced magne-
trons and the associated circuit boards
to offer better reliability, reduced cost
of ownership, greater range and, most
important of all, improved discrimina-
tion. The new 5000 series radars from
Terma are a case in point. Thales has
also developed a family of dedicated
long-range surface and low-altitude
surveillance radars able to detect small
moving targets even in rough weather.
The Coast Watcher 100 solid-state
radar with a range of 100nm can be
networked with Coast Watcher 10
radars covering shadow areas like
deep bays. The CW 10 detection algo-
rithm works with a lightweight Furuno
antenna. These radars have been
operational since 2011 in conjunction
with dedicated target detection pro-
cessing systems and have been sold
to countries in Africa and Asia. Thales
is also working with French aerospace
and defence research organisation
Onera on the Coast Watcher 200 which
will use an array of antennas and HF
surface wave propagation to achieve
an over-the-horizon range of 200nm.
Whether for coastal surveillance
stations, harbour surveillance, ships
or offshore infrastructure, electro-
optical sensors are enjoying strong
demand and, indeed, are often coupled
with radars. Scrome, a subsidiary
of V.Ships, proposes the SeaOwl
VizIR solution that detects marine
presences within several miles of a
vessel, defines them and identifies
potential threat using a combination
of panoramic thermal IR cameras
(HGH Vigiscan) and PTZ thermal IR and
visible spectrum cameras (Synectics).
SeaOwl VizIRs algorithms prioritise
alerts by constantly comparing
sensor tracks with those displayed on
shipboard equipment (radar, AIS, etc.).
Satellite-based observation systems
are also finding new applications in
maritime safety and security as higher
resolutions make them increasingly
useful for monitoring vast swathes of
sea far from coasts and land-based
sensors. Satelliteborne visual and
IR sensors are being used to gather
precious information concerning drug
runners in the Caribbean and pirates in
the Indian Ocean while radar satellites
can determine a vessels heading and
speed.
Superior sensors
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Hong Kong as seen by Pleiades 1a satellite
Terma Series 5000 radar
Thales Coast Watcher 100 radar

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy

Accident prevention
& management
Long gone are the days when perils
of the sea were seen as part of the
expected hazards of going to sea.
Advancing technologies, improving
communications and changing public
perceptions of the sea and sailing
together mean that maritime accidents
are now viewed as little different from
accidents on land. In France, the
pollution caused by the sinking of the
Erika (1999) and the Prestige (2002)
had far greater impact than the equally
or even more serious tanker accidents
that occurred in the 1970s.
The recent Costa Concordia tragedy
reminded the general public that the
sea is still a hostile environment, even
when only a few hundred metres off
shore. The media coverage led to the
fast-tracking of new safety measures
and prompt accident analysis and
responses. The main international
maritime conventions, most of which
began life or were last overhauled in
response to accidents, were quickly
amended to take better account of a
range of dangers at sea. More specific-
ally, the Solas convention updated the
human aspect, the ISM convention im-
proved safety, the ISPS Code reviewed
security and the Marpol convention
amended pollution control measures.
Everything that happens to a ship and
everything the crew does is codified,
from working hours and conditions to
fire drill and procedures in the event of
accidental pollution. Emergency drills
are repeated regularly. Bridges and
engine rooms are full of monitoring
systems and recording equipment
while ashore ship movements are
monitored from near and far.
As larger and larger vessels, from
container carriers to cruise ships,
emerge from shipyards all over
the world, preparedness is the
watchword. New EU legislation arising
from the Erika oil spill now defines
a strict framework for every link in
the maritime transport chain, from
checks by government inspectors to
the responsibilities of classification
societies. While the seas now benefit
from more intensive surveillance
than at any other time, the issue of
who should respond and with which
resources in the event of an emergency
continues to demand attention. France,
for instance, has set up a government
charter scheme for a fleet of special-
purpose vessels that are both up to the
task and on call 24/7. But this is not
the case everywhere. Just across the
Channel, the availability of emergency
tugs and rescue helicopters is severely
limited following deep cuts to the
budgets of both the Royal Navy and
Coast Guard. The charter contracts
signed by the European Maritime
Safety Agency for the 24/7 availability
of pollution response vessels were the
first step by an EU entity in this area. In
parallel, various regional agreements
are contributing to a culture of
cooperation among countries sharing
sea borders.
As the maritime community focuses
more closely on accident prevention
and management, we can expect
to see a new era in the resources
allocated to the task.
With the general public expecting ever more
safety, one response by the maritime community
has been to step up ship inspection.
The question now is to nd the resources.
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
France has yet to decide
whether or not to proceed
with the construction of
the proposed PA2 aircraft carrier. The
vessel is needed if the Navys carrier-
based air wing is to remain available at
all times, including when the Charles
de Gaulle, in service since 2001, is laid
up. Following the abandonment of the
2008 Franco-British initiative to tailor
the Queen Elisabeth design to French
requirements, new studies are in pro-
gress to reassess the advantages and
disadvantages of nuclear propulsion. It
is in this context that DCNS and STX
France presented a new design in late
2010 (see box).
Contrary to the hopes of many, bud-
get restrictions meant that the project
again failed to get the go-ahead in
2012. Leading specialists now believe
that too much time has been lost and
that a new carrier could not be com-
missioned before the Charles de Gaulle
has logged 20 years service. Even if
the programme were launched soon,
the inevitable differences between the
two carriers technologies and modes
of operation would result in serious
challenges. Lately, attention has shif-
ted to a vessel to take over from the
Charles de Gaulle towards the end of
the next decade and a programme,
if feasible, to build two new-design
aircraft carriers.
PA2 carrier project
DISPLACEMENT: 59,000 t
DIMENSIONS (M): 280 x 70
POWER: 85 MW
SPEED: 26 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 1,690
WEAPONS:
Aster 15 missiles
remotely controlled guns
40 aircrafts
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
Radars: HERAKLES + SMART-S
Decoy launchers
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FORCE PROJECTION
DCNS and STX France
presented a new version of
the Brave logistic support
vessel concept in 2010. Two years on,
the design has evolved considerably,
partly as a result of increased focus
on fuel efficiency. The result is a new
hullform with a strikingly different
bow not unlike the bows of some
commercial designs. Partners DCNS
and STX France anticipate fuel savings
of 15 to 20%.
The development team also reviewed
internal energy consumption, adding
a system to recover waste engine heat
and improved insulation to reduce the
air conditioning systems energy needs.
Product flows have been optimised by
drawing on experience acquired by
STX Frances Saint-Nazaire shipyard in
the design and construction of cruise
liners, BPC-type LHDs and ferries.
This is important because one of the
chief aims is to reduce the time spent
replenishing ships at sea to an absolute
minimum, given the ships vulnerability
while so engaged.
The concept includes extensive
provision for the planning, preparation
and execution of each replenishment
operation, the aim being to overlay
ship-to-ship product flows safely,
efficiently and without congestion.
In addition to four replenishment-at-
sea (RAS) rigs and two heavy cargo
rigs, the Brave concept also boasts
a vast area for organising helicopter
rotations and a flight deck that can
accommodate 35t-class helos. When
the ship is docked, two cranes can
handle containers or stow missiles for
frigates and submarines.
The Brave family of double-hulled
tankers comes in several sizes with
bunker capacities from 8,000 to
16,000m3 (in 6 to 9 tanks), 1,500m3
of fresh water, 2,700sq.m for 2,000t of
cargo and 30 TEU containers, as well
as 300t of munitions in four 700sq.m
magazines. Aft, there is an additional
1,000sq.m of deck space for cargo and
vehicles. A large side door is provided
for dockside loading and unloading.
The design can also accommodate an
aft gate close to the waterline for easy
transfers to landing craft. In addition to
naval replenishment, Brave ships can
also be used to provide logistic support
for military bases and strongholds and
for humanitarian operations in areas
without port infrastructure. The ships
30 to 60-bed hospital is another useful
Logistic support
asset, as are the various workshops
totalling 500sq.m. With an enclosed
mast, self-defence systems and
a DCNS-designed Polaris combat
management system, Brave ships
are equipped to integrate with naval
groups and larger forces. The Brave
concept will be proposed to the French
Navy and to international customers.
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DIMENSIONS (m): 180/205 x 28 x 8.7
POWER: nc
SPEED: 18 to 20 kts
RANGE: 10,000 NM at 18 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 100 (+ 100)
WEAPONS:
Remotely controlled guns
Anti-air systems
2 helicopters
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
Integrated mast

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
FORCE PROJECTION
Focus on BPC-type LHDs
DCNS and STX France
delivered BPC* Dixmude,
the third of the French
Navys Mistral class,
in January 2012. The
type has proven highly
successful since the delivery of
BPC Mistral in 2006 followed by
BPC Tonnerre in 2007. The designs
principal advantage is its versatility.
Whether as helicopter carriers, landing
platform docks, command vessels
or floating hospitals, BPC-type LHDs
can be deployed in a variety of roles
from amphibious assault and air/sea
operations to the command of joint
and allied forces, in addition to civilian
evacuation, humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief.
DCNS is actively marketing export
versions of its BPC design. In 2011, the
Group won its first export contract when
Russia ordered two derivative vessels.
BPC Vladivostok and BPC Sebastopol,
currently under construction at STX
Frances Saint-Nazaire shipyard, are
designed for use in polar waters and
compatible with Russian-built Helix and
Kamov helicopters. BPC Vladivostok
is scheduled for delivery in 2014 and
BPC Sebastopol in 2015. With the
benefit of a DCNS technology transfer,
the OSK shipyard in Saint Petersburg is
building various blocks for these ships
and will later build two BPCs locally.
DCNS also proposes a smaller variant
known as the BPC 140. With a length
of 170m for a displacement of 14,000t,
this version offers five helicopter spots,
deck storage for 85 containers and
hangar space for 12 helicopters and 50
vehicles.
DIMENSIONS (m): 199 x 32 x 6.2
POWER: 14 MW
SPEED: 19 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 180 (+450)
WEAPONS:
2 anti-air systems
2 x 20 mm
16 helicopters
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
Radar: MRR-3D
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Russian BPC-type LHD
BPC 140
* In Nato terminology, these ships are classified
as landing helicopter docks, or LHDs. The BPC
baseline (from btiment de projection et de
commandement, or projection and command
vessel) features a flush-deck architecture.
FORCE PROJECTION

Command vessel
Floating hospital
Humanitarian operations
The BPC concept features a full suite
of capabilities to command large-
scale joint and allied operations. The
communications suite includes L11
and L16 datalinks plus Syracuse,
Fleetsatcom, Rita, Saturn, V-Sat and
Inmarsat satellite links.
The vast (850sq.m) command area
at the heart of the ship is designed
to accommodate an entire joint HQ
team of up to 150 people working in
the same air-conditioned comfort they
would find ashore. Features include
removable partitions and underfloor
With a baseline hospital floorspace of
750sq.m, the expression floating hos-
pital is no exaggeration. The standard
configuration offers 69 beds, a ward
for serious burn patients, a medical
imagery area with space for a scanner
and two operating theatres fully equip-
ped for all types of surgical procedures.
The medical team can also use the
ships communications systems for
remote diagnosis and related services
in conjunction with shore-based spe-
cialists. When necessary, 250sq.m of
hangar space can be used as a hospital
extension. This area being adjacent to
the aircraft lifts, patients can be moved
Natural disasters cast the spotlight
on the benefits of naval assets that
are also designed to assist civilians
in need, particularly where port
infrastructure and roads are either
lacking or unusable. With their
amphibious craft and helicopters,
BPC vessels can quickly ferry in food,
equipment and medical supplies and
ferry out evacuees on the return trips.
space for cabling and services. The
embarked HQ team can monitor the
air/sea/land situation in real time
on consoles receiving data and
intelligence over datalinks with other
national and allied units. The French
Mistral-class ships were selected, on
account of their command capabilities,
to lead the amphibious component
of the Nato Response Forces main
maritime exercise conducted in 2010,
then the entire maritime component of
the NRFs 2013 exercise. In 2011, the
ships embarked the French HQ team
overseeing the Libya campaign.
quickly and efficiently to and from
evacuation aircraft. The ships wide,
obstacle-free passageways also facil-
itate the movement of gurneys.
With extension wards and facilities in
the hangar, total capacity comes to
119 beds and four operating theatres
served by 12 surgeons and 100
medical staff.
BPC floating hospitals can provide
medical services for troops and air/sea
forces in action as well as civilians in
the course of humanitarian and disas-
ter relief operations.
A cargo capacity of several hundred
tonnes and ample space for heavy
vehicles makes the BPC type ideal
for evacuation missions such as that
undertaken by BPC Mistral in Lebanon
in 2006. On this occasion, the ship was
quickly reconfigured to accommodate
some 4,000 evacuees for a short time
with hundreds of folding beds in the
main hangar.
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BPC 140

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
FORCE PROJECTION
Helicopter carrier
In the carrier role, a BPCs 5,600sq.m
flight deck can handle simultaneous
operations by six NH90 or Tiger-class
helicopters. The bow spot is reinforced
to accommodate heavy helicopters
like the Super Stallion, or even the
MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The
flight deck is served by a hangar and
two lifts located on the starboard
side aft of the island. The 1,800sq.m
hangar can accommodate 16 NH90
or Tiger-type helicopters or around
30 Gazelle-type helicopters. The vast
high-ceiling hangar is fully equipped
with all the handling and lifting gear
needed to undertake repairs and
major maintenance ensuring optimal
air wing endurance. The flight deck
is also served by dedicated munitions
lifts enabling combat helicopters to
be serviced, refuelled and reloaded
with rockets, missiles and bombs with
maximum efficiency. Aircraft thus
spend less time on the flight deck
and more flying operational rotations.
Helicopter operations are managed
by the flight deck control room on
the islands aft port-side corner
overlooking the flight deck.
As with other carriers, the ships
propulsion is used to facilitate flight
deck operations. The BPCs steerable,
or azimuthing, pods and their enclosed
electric motors serve as both
propellers and rudders, enabling the
ship to turn without heeling. During the
Nato operations in Libya in 2011, BPC
Mistral and BPC Tonnerre relayed each
other with 20 Gazelle, Tiger, Puma and
EC225 helicopters aboard. Throughout
the campaign, the ships demonstrated
their capacity to deploy a powerful air
group efficiently and over an extended
period, thereby contributing directly to
the neutralisation of a large number of
shore targets and the defeat of the pro-
Gaddafi forces.
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Tiger and Caiman versions of NH90 (French Army)
EC725 in BPC hangar
Tiger on BPC fight deck
FORCE PROJECTION

While it is true that compared with tra-
ditional LPDs (landing platform docks),
BPCs give higher priority to helicop-
ters, the BPC concept is nevertheless
well equipped for force projection onto
beaches and ports using landing craft.
The BPCs 885sq.m well dock can be
flooded and the stern gate swung open
to allow landing craft to enter or leave.
The well dock can accommodate four
24m LCM landing craft or two EDAR-
type fast landing craft. Designed and
developed by diversified French engi-
neering group CNIM, the first EDAR
craft (length: 30m; beam: 12m) was
deployed in 2012. The concept fea-
tures aluminium catamaran hulls and a
central platform that can be raised or
lowered as needed. This platform can
carry up to 80t; sufficient to handle a
main battle tank. EDAR craft have two
ramps enabling them to load and un-
load from either end, thus greatly sim-
plifying operational deployment. Du-
ring transits, the platform is raised and
the hulls function as a stable, yet fast
catamaran. Operating speed when loa-
ded is 18kts; top speed unladen is bet-
ter than 25kts. To unload, the platform
is lowered, transforming the vessel
into a beachable flat-bottomed land-
ing craft. The design ensures faster
rotations between ship and shore while
enabling the mother ship to deploy its
EDAR craft from a safe stand-off range
which means reduced vulnerability
to coastal fire and a better chance of
catching the enemy unaware.
EDAR landing craft are interoperable
with other amphibious craft. Following
trials with USS San Antonio in Feb-
ruary 2012, the design was declared
interoperable with US Navy amphibious
classes. BPCs are similarly designed to
accommodate LCAC-type air-cushion
landing craft. This requirement resulted
in the inclusion, in the BPC baseline, of
a powerful ventilation system to remove
LCAC exhaust gases from the well
deck. BPC Tonnerre and BPC Mistral
deployed LCACs in 2009 and 2012.
Amphibious operations
EDAR
DISPLACEMENT:
DIMENSIONS (m): 30 x 12
POWER: 5,360 kW
SPEED: 25 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 4
WEAPONS:
2 x 12.7 mm - 2 x 7.62 mm
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EDAR landing craft entering BPC well dock

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
FORCE PROJECTION
Troops and vehicles
BPC-type force projection
and command vessels, like
all LHDs, are designed to
deploy mechanised combat
units. The vast garages of the
French Mistral-class BPCs can
accommodate heavy tanks,
troop trucks, personnel carriers,
artillery pieces, earth-moving
machinery and containers. Two
decks linked by a ramp offer
a garage area of 2,650sq.m
(or space for 13 tanks and 60
vehicles) with direct access to
either the well dock, for transfer
to or from landing craft, or the
flight deck via one of the aircraft
lifts. Ro-ro-type side ramps
are also available for pierside
loading and unloading. The
design offers accommodation
for 450 troops, or 900 for
short periods of time. Living
conditions are far better than
aboard earlier LHD generations
with six-berth cabins each with
a shower and toilet. Space and
facilities, including a gym and
sports area, for off-duty rest
and recovery contribute to the
excellent conditions offered to all
BPC passengers.
Leclerc tank - In 2007, Nexter
delivered the last of 406 Leclerc
tanks ordered for the French Army.
The 56t Leclerc has a top speed
of over 70km/h, is extremely agile
and can engage the enemy in rough
terrain at up to 50km/h. With a
120mm main gun and 12.7 and
VBCI 8x8 - Between 2008 and 2015,
the French Army will have taken
delivery of 630 new-generation
VBCI 88 infantry fighting vehicles
produced by Nexter Systems and
Renault Trucks Defense. The 30t
VBCI, already successfully deployed
Caesar howitzer - Delivered by
Nexter since 2008, Caesar self-
propelled howitzers are one of the
latest additions to the French Armys
inventory. Caesar consists of a 6x6
truck and armoured cab carrying a
155mm gun with a range of 40km
for an all-up weight of 18t. This
7.62mm machine guns, this low-
signature main battle tank features
modular armour and is equipped to
fight by day or night, in all weather
and in contaminated environments.
Successfully deployed in Kosovo and
Lebanon, the Leclerc is also in use in
the United Arab Emirates.
in Lebanon and Afghanistan, comes
in command and infantry versions
and has a top speed of 100km/h.
The infantry version can carry 11
troops and their equipment and is
fitted with a turret armed with a
25mm Nato cannon.
extremely mobile system can be
made ready for action in less than
one minute and on the move again
before a round reaches its target.
Caesars were successfully deployed
in Lebanon and Afghanistan and
have been sold to countries in Asia
and the Middle East.
Felin soldier system - French
troops now use a modular soldier
system designed by Sagem to offer
improved protection and mobility
along with enhanced observation
and communication, improved
weapons and support for those
in direct contact with the enemy.
Components include protective
jackets, combat uniforms, NBC
outfits, day/night sights and aids,
communication and information
systems and both personal and
crew-operated weapons.
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BPC garage deck

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
FORCE PROJECTION
L-CAT 44
MPC
Building on the success of the L-Cat,
CNIM has developed a family of hybrid
patrol vessels and landing catama-
rans. The Multipurpose Patrol Craft is
a member of this family.
The aluminium-hulled MPC features
a bridge above the central platform
(rated at 60t) and is designed to carry
humanitarian or military equipment
and vehicles, including armoured
vehicles, on the open ocean. Like
the EDAR and L-Cat 44 landing craft,
the MPC can beach to load or unload
passengers and cargo. With the plat-
form lowered the catamaran becomes
a flat-bottomed boat with a draught of
just 75cm (instead of the catamarans
2m), enabling it to manoeuvre in shal-
low waters before landing its payload.
It can also serve as a small mother
ship, launching high-speed RHIBs from
the lowered platform. With accommo-
dation for 30, the design includes a
sick bay and living area. Yet another
potential application is as an oil spill
response vessel from offshore to coas-
tal areas.
to 100t) that can be raised or lowered
as needed and two ramps allowing
loading and unloading from either end.
With the platform lowered the catama-
ran has a draught of just 1.45m, ena-
bling it to manoeuvre in shallow waters
before landing its payload. The L-Cat
44 is designed to ferry troops and ma-
teriel between a force projection vessel
and a landing area, for humanitarian
assistance operations or to covertly
land a mechanised strike force.
Building on its innovative Landing Cata-
maran concept now operational as the
French Navys EDAR-type fast landing
craft, diversified French engineering
group CNIM has developed a larger
version dubbed L-Cat 44. This new
Landing Catamaran features a bridge,
increased payload and crew facilities
(galley, mess, relaxation area and
seven cabins) for missions lasting up
to ten days. Like the EDAR, the L-Cat
44 features a central platform (uprated
DISPLACEMENT: nc
DIMENSIONS (m): 40 x 17.4 x 2
POWER: 4.3 MW
SPEED: 21 kts
RANGE: 1,500 NM
DISPLACEMENT: nc
DIMENSIONS (m): 44 x 17.3 x 2.7
POWER: 4,400 kW
SPEED: 21 kts
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PROJECTION

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
FREMM frigates
The result of a Franco-
Italian cooperation pro-
gramme launched in 2005,
FREMM multimission
European frigates are the
French Navys new frontline
fighting ships. The first-of-class
Aquitaine, delivered by DCNS in late
2012, represents a major technological
advance over earlier generations. The
design concepts chief strength is its
versatility and the consistent choice
of the very best systems and
subsystems available. With its Captas
4 towed array and organic NH90
helicopter equipped with the Flash
dipping sonar and MU90 lightweight
torpedoes, the French anti-submarine
warfare version is likely to prove the
worlds best ASW frigate. French
FREMM frigates will be the first
European surface combatants to deploy
MdCN (Scalp Naval) cruise missiles,
giving them a powerful strike capability
against distant and hardened land-
based targets. The FREMM/MdCN
combination is a formidable weapon of
conventional dissuasion. The FREMM
combat system includes powerful
anti-ship and self-defence weapons
including Exocet MM40 Block3 and
Aster 15 missiles as well as a powerful
electronic warfare suite complete
with state-of-the-art jammers and
anti-missile and anti-torpedo decoys.
French FREMM frigates will also
be the first to be equipped with
the new Narwhal 20mm remotely
operated machine gun designed by
Nexter for use against asymmetric
targets. The sensor suite includes
an Herakles multifunction radar for
air/surface search and missile fire
control and a full range of ELINT and
communications systems. The combat
system and sensor suite are controlled
and coordinated by a Setis combat
management system which DCNS
claims to be among the worlds most
advanced.
The highly automated Shipmaster ship
management system integrates all
platform management tasks (alarms,
capability management, fire-fighting,
etc.) with the result that these powerful
ships require a crew of just 94,
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Ops room, FREMM frigate Aquitaine
FRIGATES

DISPLACEMENT: 6 000 t
DIMENSIONS (M): 142 x 20 x 6 m
POWER: 32 MW
SPEED: 27 kts
RANGE: 6 000 NM at 15 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 108
WEAPONS:
16 x MdCN missiles
16 x Aster 15 missiles
8 x Exocet MM40 Block3 missiles
1 x 76 or 127 mm - 2 x 20 mm
4 x Torpedoes (19 MU90)
1 Helicopter
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
Radar: Herakles
Sonars: CAPTAS 4 + 4110
Decoy launchers: NGDS + SLAT
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NH90 on frigate fight deck
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
FRIGATES
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Hangars for two
helicopters and UAVs
Captas 4
towed array
CIWS
Anti-torpedo
decoy launcher
Anti-missile
decoy launcher
FREMM options
FREMM-ER frigate
FRIGATES

Torpedo launcher
Emergency
thruster
Hull sonar
Jammer
Anti-ship
missiles
Herakles radar
Siyver launchers
(Aster & MdCN missiles)
127-mm gun
plus 16 for an air wing deploying
both a helicopter and a UAV. This is
about half the complement of previous
generation frigates with similar
capabilities. Reduced crewing and
optimised maintenance just one
six-month-long refit every ten years,
compared with a four-month-long
layup every three years for earlier
generations ensure significantly
lower ownership costs.
Note also that FREMM frigates
feature a hybrid propulsion system.
Up to 16kts, propulsion is provided by
Jeumont electric motors powered by
four MTU diesel generator sets. This
ensures excellent acoustic discretion
for anti-submarine warfare. For higher
speeds, propulsion switches over to
a GE/Avio gas turbine offering a top
speed of close to 30kts. The design
also includes a retractable emergency
thruster capable of 7kts should the
main propulsion plant fail. Following
the Aquitaine, the French Navy is
scheduled to take delivery of eight
more FREMM frigates between now
and 2022 plus two FREDA air defence
derivatives.
At Euronaval 2012, DCNS presented
a new extended-range version. The
FREMM-ER is based on the Aquitaine
hull form, but features an enclosed
mast housing all the main sensors
including a new Sea Fire 500 radar.
With its four-sided phased-array
antenna, the Sea Fire 500, designed
by Thales especially for the FREMM-
ER, is expected to significantly improve
the ships detection capabilities.
Armed with Aster 30 missiles, the
FREMM-ER will be ideal not only for
anti-air theatre defence, but also for
tactical ballistic missile defence, or
TBMD. The FREMM-ER is expected
to provide the basis for the planned
FREDA version. An export version of
the FREMM-ER will also be proposed.
In 2013, Morocco will take delivery of
the Mohammed VI, the first FREMM for
an international customer.
Note that FREMM frigates were
designed from the outset to be
tailored to each client navys needs.
Key options range from a 127-mm
main gun to Gatling gun-type close-in
weapon systems, twin hangars for two
helicopters and UAVs, or VL Mica anti-
air missiles in vertical launchers on the
aft superstructure.

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
CORVETTES & OPVS

Gowind OPV LAdroit
entered service with the
French Navy in March
2012. Built to commercial shipbuilding
standards, LAdroit is the result of a
partnership between shipbuilder DCNS
and the French Navy. DCNS built the
ship as a self-funded project then made
it available to the Navy for a period of
three years. The Navy received an
additional platform for its operations; in
return, the prototype will achieve sea
proven status and DCNS will receive
precious crew feedback and benefit
from having a floating showcase to
show to potential customers. With an
endurance of three weeks, Gowind
OPVs are designed for extended ocean
patrol duty and missions that include
the protection of territorial waters
against a wide variety of threats,
including asymmetric ones. After
several successful missions including
maritime surveillance and policing
fisheries, OPV LAdroit is expected to
move on, in 2013, to combating piracy
in the Indian Ocean.
One of the designs distinguishing
features is the high panoramic
bridge and, on top of it, the single
enclosed mast housing, among other
sensors, Scanter 4102 and 6002
radars by Terma. The Polaris CMS
manages the ships sensors, displays
the tactical situation and provides
the communications resources to
participate in a multinational force. The
bridge area also includes the con and
platform management consoles, the
flight ops console and the operations
area. Operations can also be managed
from the level immediately below
the bridge. The flight deck can
accommodate a 10t helicopter and
the hangar a machine weighing up
to 5t along with a UAV. OPV LAdroit
was the first European vessel to
deploy a UAV, specifically a Schiebel
S-100 Camcopter, on operational
missions. With accommodation for
27 passengers or commandos, OPV
LAdroit is also designed to serve as a
base for special operations.
To this end, the design includes a pair
of stern ramps for the launch and
recovery of two nine-metre RIBs or
unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)
in less than five minutes. In addition
to manual and remotely controlled
light guns, the LAdroit is equipped
with two non-lethal water cannons
that can be remotely controlled
from the bridge. With two crews of
32 working four-month rotations, OPV
LAdroits highly automated systems
ensure 220 days at-sea availability
per year.
Gowind OPV
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Sea and Navy
2012 EURONAVAL CORVETTES & OPVS
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Gowind OPV
POWER: 5.6 MW
SPEED: 21 kts
WEAPONS:
1 x 20 mm - 2 x 12.7 mm
(1 x 76 mm)
1 Helicopter
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
Radars: SCANTER 4600 + 6000
Decoy launchers: SYLENA
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
CORVETTES & OPVS

Gowind combat
The new Gowind Combat
corvette is the latest
addition to DCNSs offering
in the corvette/OPV segment. While
other members of the Gowind family
can be fitted with heavy weapon
systems (typically a 76mm turret
and/or missiles) at the customers
request, the group wanted to add a
corvette built to naval standards to its
portfolio. The chief differences include
significant all-round redundancy
and shock resistance to withstand
both underwater and above-water
explosions. The result, the Gowind
Combat, is effectively a lightweight
frigate. The first of type, based on
a design rather different from that
of demonstration OPV LAdroit, is
expected to go to Malaysia. This
multirole warship will carry not only
anti-air and anti-ship weapons, but
also a complete anti-submarine
warfare suite. A hull-mounted sonar
and a towed, variable-depth sonar like
Captas will give the Gowind Combat
a powerful underwater sensor suite.
For ASW attack and self-defence, the
choice will be between lightweight
torpedoes launched from dedicated
deck tubes or by the organic helicopter.
DCNS is also optimising the design to
further reduce its acoustic signature
for improved effectiveness against
submarines. Design provisions for
communications systems supplied by
US-based manufacturers will ensure
interoperability with other forces.
Other features include a combat
management system based on the
FREMM version of the DCNS-designed
Setis CMS and a complete electronic
warfare suite. Like Gowind OPVs,
the Gowind Combat will be equipped
with a single enclosed mast housing
all the main sensors, including a
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Gowind Combat and OPC design
3D radar and an electro-optical fire
control system linked to the main
gun. The flight deck will be able to
accommodate a helicopter of up to
10t and the hangar a machine weigh-
ing up to 5t along with an unmanned
aerial vehicle. The UAV will enable
the helo to focus on anti-ship or anti-
submarine warfare. To propose this
new capability to customers, DCNS is
building on the experience acquired
with the LAdroit and its Schiebel
S-100 Camcopter.
The Gowind Combat is also designed to
serve as a base for special operations
with a RIB and accommodation for
25 passengers or commandos. Note
also that DCNS used the Gowind
Combat as a baseline for the design
submitted to by DCNS and VT Halter
Marine for the US Coast Guards OPC
(Offshore Patrol Cutter) programme.
Gowindcombat
POWER: nc
SPEED: 26 kts
WEAPONS:
8 to 16 x VL Mica missiles
8 x Exocet MM40 missiles
1 x 76 mm - 2 x 20 mm
Torpedoes - 1 Helicopter
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
Radar: 3D
Hull-mounted and towed sonars
Decoy launchers
CORVETTES & OPVS

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
CORVETTES & OPVS

Combattante FS56
With sales of over 90 Combattante fast
attack boats to its credit, Cherbourg-
based shipbuilder CMN has re-
vamped the design without
compromising on speed or provisions
for weapon systems. The latest
Combattante boasts state-of-the-art
systems and subsystems, powerful
self-defence, electronic warfare and
combat management systems along
with an enclosed mast atop a pano-
ramic bridge. The hull of the new
Combattante FS56 combines its
ancestors lines with stealth perform-
ance meeting the latest classification
society criteria. With reduced crewing
thanks to advanced automation,
the new Combattante has all the
qualities, reliability and competitive
pricing that made its predecessors
famous.
The Combattante SWAO 53 is the
latest concept to emerge from the
CMN design bureau. After a years
work, including the filing of various
patents, Cherbourg-based shipbuilder
CMN has unveiled the Combattante
SWAO 53, the acronym standing
for small-waterplane-area outrigger.
The combination of a single main hull
and an innovative outrigger ensures
progressive transverse stability, hence
improved comfort and safety. The
design offers the same amount of deck
space as a catamaran along with far
better seakeeping, especially in rough
weather, and higher speeds. The vast
deck accommodates a helicopter flight
deck optimised for use as a UAV
platform along with a hangar for two
Schiebel S-100 Camcopters. Indeed,
CMN is working closely with Schiebel
on UAV deployment. The Combattante
SWAO 53 also boasts powerful self-
defence and sensor systems. Overall,
this low-signature design has been
optimised for surveillance missions,
special forces operations with dedi-
cated areas for commandos and a
RIB launch and recovery system or
for use as a seabase for a flotilla of
interceptors. Thanks to its design mod-
ularity, the basic versions vertical
missile launchers can be replaced by
a HQ area. CMN plans to develop a
family of SWAO craft of different sizes
and combat capabilities.
Combattante SWAO 53
DISPLACEMENT: nc
DIMENSIONS (m):
56 x 8.2 x 2.7
POWER: 17.2 MW
SPEED: 38 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 32
WEAPONS:
8 x Exocet MM40 Block3
1 x RAM system
(or 1 x 40 mm)
1 x 76 mm
2 x 30, 20 or 12,7 mm
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
CMAST with 2D radar
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DISPLACEMENT: nc
DIMENSIONS (m): 52.7 x 16 x 2.6
POWER: 9.9 MW
SPEED: > 30 kts
WEAPONS:
8 x VL Mica missiles
1 x 57 mm - 2 x 20 mm
2 x UAVs
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
CMAST with TRS-3D radar
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CORVETTES & OPVS

Vigilante 1400 CL 79
Vigilante 400 CL 54
CMNs Vigilante 1400 CL 79 represents
a new concept in multipurpose
vessels for missions from MCM to
pollution cleanup, commando raids
and even anti-submarine warfare.
The design features a large aft deck
with an 8t crane and space for a RIB
and cargo or outfitted containers
housing a shipboard HQ or other
special-purpose equipment. The
deck, directly accessible from the
modular operational areas under
the platform, is equipped with two
Vestdavit davits with shock absorbers
and roll and pitch compensation for
safe RIB launch and recovery in high
sea states (> 5) with a launch cycle
lasting less than one minute. The
davits can also be used to launch
MCM unmanned surface vehicles.
CMN is working with Atlas Elektronik
CMN has unveiled
the revamped Vigilante
400CL54. This simple,
rugged patrol boat is a
derivative of the French
P400. The new version,
already purchased by Brazil and
Oman, has new lines, but retains the
seakeeping qualities and endurance
of its predecessors. The propulsion
system is also new and offers
reduced maintenance and ownership
costs. All improvements have been
introduced without incurring a weight
penalty. On the equipment front, the
Vigilante 400CL54, designed primarily
for maritime surveillance and EEZ
protection, features aft deck davits
to launch and recover RIBs carrying
inspectors or response squads.
Although the design can accommodate
a 76mm turret, the basic version is
equipped only with manual or remotely
operated small-calibre guns.
on the deployment of
SeaOtter Mk2 and SeaFox
USVs and on the installation
of an Actas towed array to
give the Vigilante an ASW
capability.
The thoroughly multipurpose
Vigilante can also be
outfitted for oil spill cleanup
work, with two options:
conventional cleanup gear
including floating booms and
a skimmer with floating tanks
in tow, or a more compact
containerised solution by
Lamor with a pair of side
collectors and towed tanks. The bridge
has a panoramic view and is separated
from the ops room. The C-Mast above
the bridge carries the sensor suite.
DISPLACEMENT: nc
DIMENSIONS (m): 54.2 x 8 x 2.5
POWER: nc
SPEED: 22 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 22 to 29 (+ 12)
WEAPONS:
1 x 76 or 1 x 20 mm - 2 x 12.7 mm
DIMENSIONS (M): 79 x 13.6 x 3.6m
POWER: nc
SPEED: 25 kts
WEAPONS:
1 x 76 mm ou 1 x 30 mm - 2 x 12.7mm
1 helicopter
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
CMAST with 2D or 3D radar
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
CORVETTES & OPVS

OPV 70
French naval ship and
boatbuilder Raidco Marine
handed the first OPV 70
offshore patrol vessel over to the Royal
Moroccan Navy in June 2011. OPV
Bir Anzaran was built by the STX
shipyard at Lorient, France, to a
Raidco design featuring a steel hull
and aluminium superstructure. The
ship was delivered without weapon
systems which were fitted later in
Morocco. The customer appears to
be pleased with the vessel as it is
used intensively for missions ranging
from maritime surveillance to policing
fisheries. Building on this success,
Raidco now offers an improved
version equipped with RIBs on davits
for inspectors and special forces.
The davit system can launch and recover
a RIB in less than three minutes. The
RIBs are the companys new UFR 9.30
already selected by two international
customers. Designed by Ufast and
marketed by Raidco, this 9.3m-long
RIB is made of carbon-Kevlar
composite and powered by two 400hp
motors for a top speed of 45kts. With
a crew of four, it offers space for eight
commandos and a range of 250nm.
Note that the OPV 70 can be equipped
with a weapon suite including both
anti-ship and anti-air missiles. The
design can also accommodate a
helicopter flight deck.
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DISPLACEMENT: nc
DIMENSIONS (m): 70 x 11.3
POWER: 8,160 kW
SPEED: 22 kts
WEAPONS:
1 x 76 mm - 1 x 40 mm
CORVETTES & OPVS

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
Piriou MOPVs
MOPV 60
MOPV 80
The Piriou group has announced a
new range of multipurpose offshore
patrol vessels (MOPVs) designed to
commercial shipbuilding standards
and benefiting from feedback
received from both navy crews and
customers. The MOPV range boasts in-
creased endurance and operational
availability plus a modular design
that can be quickly reconfigured for
specific missions. The MOPV 80 offers
a vast reconfigurable space on the aft
deck and under the flight deck. This
space can accommodate a variety of
modules from an embarked hospital
to a command HQ centre or cargo.
Exploiting this space even further, the
MOPV 80 can be configured as an oil
spill response vessel fully equipped
to deploy floating containment
booms over drums on the aft deck
and/or carry and apply dispersants.
The MOPV 80 can also accommodate a
special forces module, complete with its
own command area and communi-
cations suite, to plan and execute a
variety of missions. In addition to a
9.2m RIB on davits, the crane on the
aft deck can be used to store additional
commando boats.
POWER: 8,000 kW
SPEED: 21 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 60
WEAPONS:
12.7 to 76 mm
DIMENSIONS (m): 60 x 12 x 4.1 m
POWER: 3,600 kW
SPEED: 18 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 30
WEAPONS:
12.7 to 40 mm
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Piriou patrol boats meet the full spec-
trum of needs for government missions
at sea, including the surveillance of
maritime approaches, maritime safety & security,
search & rescue and the interdiction of piracy and
illegal trafficking. Types W25, P35, P43 and P50
range in length from 25 to 60m and are designed
for naval, coastguard and other government ser-
vices conducting operations on the high seas or in
littoral waters. Each type is designed for specific
missions, according to its size. The smaller types
(W25 and P35) are designed for speed; the larger
types (P43 and P50) for endurance and range up
to 3,000nm at 15kts for the P50. Some can be out-
fitted as training boats. Almak, the first type P43,
will be delivered in training boat configuration in
September 2013. Almak will be operated by navO-
can, a joint venture by Piriou and DCI (a company
supporting French defence export sales). This boat
can accommodate 16 trainees and two instructors
and will be used to train crew members of Frances
client navies.
Piriou has burst onto the naval shipbuilding scene
with its new family of patrol vessels. On the domes-
tic market, the company is positioning itself for the
B2M multimission vessel programme under which
the French Navy plans to order ships for overseas
missions. On the international market, Piriou will
work with subsidiaries in Africa and Asia specifi-
cally WAS in Nigeria and SEAS in Vietnam that to
date have concentrated on the offshore and blue-
water fisheries segments.
P35
P50
W25
P43
DISPLACEMENT: 400 t
DIMENSIONS (m): 49.9 x 9.2 x 2.6
POWER: 4,480 kW
SPEED: 21 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 19
WEAPONS:
12.7 at 40 mm
DISPLACEMENT: 350 t
POWER: 1,324 kW
SPEED: 12 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 25
WEAPONS:
12.7 to 40 mm
DISPLACEMENT: 120 t
DIMENSIONS (m): 26.6 x 6 x 1
POWER: 3,530 kW
SPEED: 30 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 10
WEAPONS:
12.7 to 40 mm
DISPLACEMENT: 170 t
DIMENSIONS (m): 35.6 x 7.2 x 2
POWER: 3,530 kW
SPEED: 25 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 20
WEAPONS:
12.7 to 40 mm
PATROL VESSELS
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
OSV 190
PATROL VESSELS
Ocea markets three ranges of
fast patrol boats for maritime
safety & security and support
roles. In 2012, the company
presented a new and highly
versatile 60m design designated
OSV 190. Two units are under
construction for delivery to an
Asian navy in 2013. The OSV 190
is designed for rescue missions,
diver support and pollution
prevention and control. The large
aft deck with space for a variety
of equipment and provision for
an A-frame offers good potential
for hydrographic applications.
The same features plus the non-
magnetic aluminium hull mean
that the design also lends itself
to the development of an MCM
version. The first two OSV 190s
will be configured as hydro-
oceanographic vessels, complete
with a special-purpose boat. The
design is also readily tailored for
EEZ patrol and response missions
as the forward deck can also
accommodate a 20mm gun.
FCB 115 FPB 125
A surveillance radar atop a tall
mast, anti-air missile systems and
a remotely operated gun give Oceas
FCB 115 a decidedly different sil-
houette. This 35m fast command
boat is designed to lead a flotilla
of interceptors like the companys
C-Heron type on zone or offshore
platform protection missions. The
The FPB 125 MkII is another new
model from Ocea, this time based
on a type sold to Kuwait in the
early 2000s. This 40m boat offers
extended endurance to undertake
maritime safety & security missions
lasting up to ten days. The FPB 125
can carry a 7m RIB, SAR equipment
and a FiFi firefighting system.
design focuses strongly on sur-
veillance with a Variant radar by
Thales at the top of its tall mast for
greater range. Armament is also
impressive with a remotely operated
gun and two Simbad RC missile sys-
tems, all managed by a CWSP com-
mand & control system developed
jointly by MBDA and Ocea.
The design includes a sick bay and
a divers area with storage space
for diving equipment in containers
stowed aft. The boat features a
range of surveillance and com-
munications equipment which
also explains why a control and
command system is offered as
an option.
POWER: nc
SPEED: 35 to 40 kts
RANGE: 600 NM at 25 kts
WEAPONS:
2 x SIMBAD RC - 1 x 30 mm
DIMENSIONS (m): 40.8 x 7.2 x 2.1
POWER: nc
SPEED: 20 to 35 kts
WEAPONS:
1 x 30 or 1 x 20 mm
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PATROL VESSELS

EXPAND YOUR CONTROL AT SEA
MARITIME SAFETY - MARITIME SECURITY - OPERATIONAL READINESS
OCEA SA Quai de la Cabaude 85100 Les Sables dOlonne France
Tel : + 33 (0)2 51 21 05 90 Fax : + 33 (0)2 51 21 20 06 E-mail commercial@ocea.fr
FPB 98 FPB 72
The Ocea FPB 98 is a
32m fast patrol boat
with an aluminium hull
and waterjet propulsion.
With 21 units delivered
to Algeria between 2008
and 2011, the FPB 98
has had considerable
success. Benin took
delivery of three units in 2012 and
Senegal, also in West Africa, will
The Ocea FPB 72 is
designed for littoral
surveillance and more
specifically for missions between
12 and 24nm off shore. With two
propellers and a top speed of 34
knots, the FPB 72 is a fast, multi-
purpose boat. Like all Ocea boats,
it features an aluminium hull en-
suring low purchase and mainte-
be next with an order for four units
for delivery in 2013. Other countries
in Africa and Latin America have
also expressed interest. Excellent
feedback from early customers has
contributed directly to strong sales.
The FPB 98 is designed for maritime
surveillance and patrol missions to
the outer boundaries of a countrys
EEZ. The design is renowned for its
seakeeping and endurance.
nance costs. This 24m fast patrol
boat can carry a 4m RIB and be
armed with 12.7 and 7.62mm
machine guns. Three FPB 72s
were delivered to Nigeria in
September 2012 and several
countries in Latin America have
also expressed interest. An Asian
customer has ordered four FPB 72s
for delivery in 2013.
POWER: nc
SPEED: 35 kts
WEAPONS:
1 x 30 ou 1 x 20 mm
POWER: nc
SPEED: 35 kts
WEAPONS:
Machine guns
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
PATROL VESSELS
In 2012, Raidco Marine
and Ufast began building
a new type of 33m patrol
boat, the specifications of which have
yet to be released. The first of type is
for a customer in Senegal. According to
the designers, the RPB 33 will be well
suited to the full spectrum of missions
increasingly assigned to this type of
vessel while incorporating innovations
to reduce ownership costs and budget-
conscious expectations. This simple
yet rugged boat offers extended
endurance for its size, making it ideal
for lengthy sea patrols. Propulsion can
be tailored to the customers needs,
beginning with desired top speed.
With a high-performance commu-
nications suite, identification aids and
a 6.15m RIB that can be launched and
recovered via a stern ramp, the RPB
33 is well equipped. The bridge atop
the aluminium superstructure offers a
panoramic view. From here the watch
can manage navigation, command
and control, supervise RIB operations,
maintain situation awareness and
monitor system performance. The
RPB 33 is proposed with a 20mm
gun on the fore deck, but can also
accommodate a heavier type. A small-
calibre high-firing-rate weapon known
PL3200
Following the success of patrol
boats built for French customs and
the Gendarmerie Maritime, Couach
now proposes a new design for a
coastal patrol boat. Building on a
simple, tough, economical baseline,
Couach has optimised the PL 3200
for coastal operations and missions
ranging from maritime surveillance
to fisheries policing and the
interdiction of illegal trafficking. The
raised bridge offers excellent all-
round visibility; the davit-mounted
RIB the means to act. The 7.6m RIB
is the boats key feature as it allows
inspectors, response squads or
rescue teams to act quickly and over
long distances.
RPB 20
DIMENSIONS (M): 20 x 5.29 x 1.49
POWER: 1,470 kW
SPEED: 28 to 33 kts
WEAPONS: Machine guns
POWER: 3,200 kW
SPEED: 23 kts
RANGE: > 1,000 NM at 15 kts
WEAPONS:
1 x 20 mm - 2 x 7.62 mm
RPB 20 patrol boats are built
by Bordeaux-based boat-
building CNB and marketed,
with considerable success,
by Raidco Marine. Following
the sale of 24 units to French
customers, other sales have
included: Gabon (4), Guinea (3),
Mauritania (2), Morocco (11),
Nigeria (4), Senegal (4), South
Africa (2) and Tunisia (4), with
others anticipated. The design
features a double-chine deep-
V hull offering excellent sea-
keeping and comfort in addition
to high pursuit speeds. The GRP
hull includes a stern ramp for
the launch and recovery of a 5m
RIB carrying inspectors or an
response force.
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as a minigun can be installed on the
boat for close-in self-defence or on
the RIB for crew protection. Non-lethal
weapon options include a long-range
acoustic device (LRAD) or a laser
illuminator coupled with a stabilised
video camera.
RPB 33
INTERCEPTORS

1300 FIC
In 2011 and 2012,
Couach delivered a
series of 15 type 1300
FIC fast intervention craft to India.
These boats from Couachs Plascoa
range are powered by two 800hp
MAN diesels giving them a top
speed in excess of 50kts. Although
armed only with manual weapons,
an automatic 12.7mm machine gun
can be readily mounted on the bow
French aluminium boatbuilder Ocea
offers a range of maritime safety
& security interceptors. The new
C-Heron with a roof-top remotely-
operated gun and two manual
guns aft of the cabin can also
accommodate an anti-air system.
C-Herons speed enables it to quickly
intercept threats such as terrorists
or above the cabin alongside the
four existing remotely controlled
spotlights. These tough boats
feature bulletproof glazing and an
armour-protected superstructure
thanks to a Twaron-like aramid
fibre-based material. Couach also
offers a slightly larger model (length:
15m) equipped with a semi-rigid
inflatable and a 20mm remotely
operated machine gun.
or pirates or to deploy commandos
in record time. C-Herons are highly
effective as a flotilla accompanying
a command boat from the same
type. Coordinated flotillas are ideal
for protecting offshore platforms
and other high-value assets. Ocea
also produces the 14.6m C-Falcon
and the 24.7m C-Sword.
POWER: 1,176 kW
SPEED: > 50 kts
RANGE: nc
ACCOMMODATION: 5
WEAPONS:
1 x 12.7 mm - 2 x 7.62 mm
C-HERON
DIMENSIONS (m): 20.9 x 5.20 x 1
POWER: nc
SPEED: 50-55 kts
WEAPONS:
Machine guns
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
DV15
Normandy-based ship-
builder CMN has updated
the DV15 range already
selected by the United
Arab Emirates, Qatar
and Yemen. The new
DV15 RWS 30 interceptor
presented for the first time
in 2012 features a 30mm
remotely operated gun instead of the
12.7mm manual gun carried by earlier
versions. The Lemur gyrostabilised
turret by BAE Systems Bofors is
equipped with a sensor package
including day/night cameras, a laser
rangefinder and ballistic and track
modules. The turret carries a belt-
fed ATK M230LF gun with a firing
rate of 200 rounds/minute and a
300-round belt. Meeting the structural,
outfitting, stability at speed and safety
requirements associated with a gun
turret mounted on the roof of a boat
less than 16m in length was a tour de
force, but has proven a great success.
Even at speeds exceeding 50 knots,
the boat remains stable and predicable
with the gun achieving remarkable
accuracy for such a high speed.
The DV15 RWS 30 comes equipped
with modern communication and
combat management systems by
Thales integrated with a range of mon-
itoring and protection systems. The
boat is designed primarily for inter-
ception missions, zone and critical
infrastructure protection, for combating
trafficking, piracy and terrorism and
for police, sovereignty and escort
missions. Thanks to the modular
design, many features can be tailored
to the customers precise needs.
Options include a 12.7mm remotely-
operated gun, electro-optical sensors
and a gunshot detection system.
INTERCEPTORS
DIMENSIONS (m): 15.5 x 3
POWER: 865 kW
SPEED: > 50 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 3/4
WEAPONS: 1 x 30 mm - 1 x 12.7 mm
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HSC25
Boatbuilder Couach, based in
southwest France, presents a new
concept for a fast stealth interceptor
for special forces. The 25m High Speed
Craft is designed for covert patrol work
and coastal raids and the infiltration/
exfiltration of special forces. Along with
a crew of five, the HSC 25 can carry
18 commandos and their equipment
in a dedicated compartment (separate
from the wheelhouse) complete
with toilet, refrigerator and shock-
mounted seating. One section of this
compartment can be used for briefing
sessions.
A separate lockable area with seating
for eight or four bunks can be used
to carry additional forces, to hold
exfiltrated hostages or prisoners or
as a sick bay. The aft area carries
two RIBs that can be launched
simultaneously to deploy special forces
in less than one minute. The HSC 25
has a top speed of 50kts and is well
armed. The bow section carries a 20
to 30mm remotely controlled gun while
the aft area has four 7.62mm guns
to cover RIB operations or neutralise
attackers. Other features include a
powerful communications suite and
an optronic system with an IR camera
on a telescopic mast. The lightweight
hull is made of advanced-technology
carbon composite with armour
protection on selected areas including
the wheelhouse, engine compartment
and RIB bay. Advanced stealth ensures
an extremely small radar signature.
Zodiac Milpro, the world
leader in inflatable boats,
has developed a huge
range of rigid inflatable
boats, or RIBs (aka RHIBs),
for special forces. The
current range features the MACH II
hull (Military Air Channelled Hull II)
launched in 2010. This offers a
higher top speed and reduced fuel
consumption, hence greater endurance
or, alternatively, increased payload
since lighter motors can achieve the
same speed. The stepped hull reduces
drag by effectively increasing the
breadth-to-length ratio to yield a 10%
increase in speed or range.
The Hurricane family with the MACH II
hull and hybrid inflatable/foam buoy-
ancy tubes are world famous for their
stability and safety. D-shaped foam
collars offer extra deck space and
three-across seating while shock-
mitigating seats on rails ensure
improved comfort. The long list of
countries operating Hurricane RIBs
from 9 to 11m in length includes Finland,
France, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia and
the United States. The ZH935 with twin
Steyr 286/Bravo outdrive propulsion
selected for Italys Guardia di Finanza
offers an operational speed in excess
of 50kts. A similar aluminium-hull
type is carried by demonstration OPV
LAdroit now in service with the French
Navy. The French commando forces
are replacing their Etraco RIBs with a
ZH930 derivative under the cume NG
programme, the first twenty being
scheduled for delivery in 2013. The
French boats differ from the ZH935
in that they feature a composite hull
offering a smaller radar signature.
Like all Zodiac Milpro military RIBs,
the ZH930 can be supplied with
a wide range of options (sensors,
communications suites, weapons, etc.)
and is air-droppable. Zodiac Milpro
recently launched the ZH940 OB, a
variant using outboard propulsion.
POWER: 3,830 kW
SPEED: 50 kts
ACCOMMODATION:
5 (+ 18 commandos)
WEAPONS:
1 x 20 or 1 x 30 mm - 4 x 7.62 mm
DIMENSIONS (m): 9.39 x 3.1
POWER: 660 kW
SPEED: 55 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 16
WEAPONS: machine guns
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
COMMANDOS
FORCES SPCIALES Special forces on every
Elite units with a track record in
sensitive operations have rarely been in
higher demand. While the commando
forces mode of operation is widely
acknowledged for its discretion and
effectiveness, the emergence of new
maritime threats over the last 15 years
or so has seen the spectrum of actions
assigned to water-based special forces
expand considerably.
French commando forces, US Navy
SEALs or the UKs Royal Marines
each countrys armed forces include
small elite units of ultra-selected,
ultra-highly trained specialists able to
operate under almost any conditions.
From lightning raids, covert beach
landings and commandos fast-roping
onto a ships deck to parachute drops
behind enemy lines, not to mention
divers emerging from a submarines
torpedo tubes then swimming for
several hours commandos are, by
definition, versatile and adaptable to
COMMANDOS

all types of action and threats. They
also operate far from the sea, French
commando forces having served in
Afghanistan.
Counter terrorism, exfiltration of
foreign civilians, storming of enemy
ships, guerrilla actions, combating
drug traffickers and pirates, intelli-
gence gathering; special forces are
on every front. And this isnt likely to
change any time soon. When facing
asymmetrical threats, the commando
squad is, like heavy weaponry, a
crucial element in the palette of
resources needed to protect a country
and its interests.
This no doubt explains why, in
contrast to military budgets in general,
those for special forces remain at
least constant or on the rise. In many
countries, the interest in elite units
includes commandos specialising in
maritime operations.
The range of equipment on offer in
response to these operational needs
extends from precision weapons
and specialised land vehicles to
camouflage, communications systems
and air-droppable RIBs, not to mention
special items for combat swimmers.
Some submarines, for instance, can
be fitted with deck shelters housing
boats and swimmer tugs and delivery
vehicles to take commandos covertly
from submarine to shore.
Special forces also need to take
onboard new technologies and keep
abreast of new threats. Again, one
response is to set up specialised
units. In France, the Kieffer squad is
highly trained in IT, electronic warfare,
the use of unmanned vehicles and
dogs and operations in contaminated
environments. Members receive
intensive training in the use of new
technologies and in providing support
for other forces facing new threats.
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
SMX-26 Caiman
With operations in the littorals
attracting ever-increasing attention, a
DCNS team has presented a concept
for a submarine designed specifically
for inshore operations and for lying in
wait. With a length of 40m, a beam of
15.5 and a height of 8, the SMX-26 will
have a surface displacement of around
1,000t, a range of 4,500nm at 10kts
and an endurance of one month.
The distinctive flattened shape is
the result of an architecture based on
two parallel pressure hulls, an optimal
arrangement for coastal operations.
Designed to manoeuvre in shallows
offering just 15m (and for a maximum
diving depth of 150m), the SMX-26 is
exceptionally agile. In addition to two
stern propulsors, it features four
retractable azimuthing
thrusters

enabling it to move vertically or remain
precisely on station in a current. The
SMX-26 is also designed to settle
on the seafloor with the aid of four
hydraulically extendable legs with
wheels. These enable the boat to
remain on the seafloor for extended
periods and even to reorient itself.
The legs correct the boats attitude
when settling on an irregular or
sloping bottom and overcome the
suction effect that can otherwise pin a
submarine down.
The concepts chief advantage is to make
possible covert operations in places
where no-one expects to encounter
a submarine. Compact, streamline
and camouflaged, the SMX-26
blends in with its environment just like
a caiman. The design team chose the
name for the characteristic
posture with only the
eyes, ears and
n o s t r i l s
above
the water. For eyes
and ears read sensors; for nostrils
read snorkels; one for fresh air, the other
for the engines recharging the batteries
(endurance without recharging is
several days). Communication buoys
help the Caiman to remain in contact
with its HQ. While ideal for intelligence
gathering, the SMX-26 is also designed
to deploy special forces. With a crew
of 15, the Caiman can accommodate
six commandos and their equipment.
Combat swimmers can leave the
submerged submarine via an airlock.
With the boat just below the surface,
they can also emerge in a RIB from
a shelter complete with airlock and
forming an integral part of the hulls
dorsal structure. Exploiting its stealth
to the full, the SMX-26
is ideal
for lightning raids, for
deploying special forces on land as
part of, say, an exfiltration operation,
or for catching traffickers in the act.
The Caiman can also support such
operations using either its 20mm
remotely controlled gun mounted on
the sail or its self-defence weapons
which include two heavyweight
torpedoes (or anti-ship missiles) and
eight lightweight torpedoes.
The SMX-26 Caiman, DCNSs latest concept submarine, is a small stealth
boat optimised for intelligence gathering and coastal and inshore operations.
SUBMARINES
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SUBMARINES
SSBNs
DIMENSIONS (m): 138 x 12.5
POWER: 30.5 MW
SPEED: 25 kts
ACCOMMODATION: 110
WEAPONS:
16 x M51 missiles
4 x torpedo tubes (533 mm)
18 x torpedoes + Exocet SM39 missiles
France is one of the few
countries with proven
capabilities spanning SSBN
design, construction and operation.
Specialist studies have demonstrated
that these weapons of dissuasion are
the most sophisticated products ever
designed by human kind. Each SSBN
is at one and the same time a warship,
a submerged nuclear powerplant and
a launch platform for intercontinental
ballistic missiles, or ICBMs.
Drawing on the expertise acquired
through the design and construction of
the Le Redoutable, Frances first SSBN
(commissioned in 1971), DCNS went
on to build five more Le Redoutable-
class boats. These were followed by
four new-generation SSBNs (French
designation SNLE-NG), with the first-
of-class Le Triomphant entering service
in 1996, followed by the Le Tmraire
in 1999, the Le Vigilant in 2004 and the
Le Terrible in 2010. SSBN Le Terrible
undertook her first patrol in 2011. This
boat introduced a range of advances
that it shares with the Barracuda SSNs.
The advanced ergonomics operations
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area is designed around a digital
plotting table and reconfigurable
multifunction consoles. The new
Sycobs CMS is also shared, SSBN
Le Terrible being the first submarine
to carry this advanced system. The
sonar suites of both types feature
new-generation computers along with
towed, bow, mine avoidance and flank
arrays developed by Thales to offer
state-of-the-art underwater detection
capabilities.
The Le Terrible carries new-generation
M51 ballistic missiles instead of the
earlier type M45. With a length of
12m and a lift-off weight of 56t, the
M51 carries six MIRVs with 150-kt
thermonuclear warheads and offers an
estimated range of 9,000km.
With upgrades underway on the first
three Le Triomphant-class SSBNs,
DCNS design teams have now started
design and development work on the
next generation of SSBNs expected
to take over from around 2030. Key
decisions concerning this programme
are anticipated in 2014 or 2015.
M51 missile
SUBMARINES

SSNs
Work at DCNSs Cherbourg
shipyard on Frances
six-boat Barracuda SSN
programme continues to report good
progress. The first-of-class Suffren is
scheduled to begin sea trials in early
2016 while the hull of the second-
of-class Duguay-Trouin is scheduled
for completion in 2013. Work on
the construction of the third-of-
class Tourville began in June 2011.
Barracuda SSNs are scheduled to
enter service between 2017 and
2028 as replacements for the Rubis
class commissioned between 1983
and 1993. Bigger, more powerful
and quieter than their predecessors,
they will be armed with the new F21
heavyweight torpedo, MdCN cruise
missiles and Exocet SM39 Block2
Mod2 anti-ship missiles.
The reactor is similar to the K15
module powering current-generation
French SSBNs and the Charles
de Gaulle aircraft carrier. To comply
with the latest nuclear safety require-
ments, the new powerplant includes
additional auxiliaries and pumps
ensuring enhanced redundancy.
The Barracuda incorporates the latest
advances in acoustic discretion and
automation, two fields in which France
has long been held in high regard.
All systems are highly automated for
operation by a complement of just 60.
The adoption of an optronic mast
instead of the traditional hull-
penetrating periscopes has saved
considerable space and made it
possible to redesign and relocate the
operations area relative to the sail.
The Barracuda also features the new
Sycobs CMS and a new sonar suite
by Thales including bow, towed, mine
avoidance and flank arrays.
From the outset, the project called for
full provision for littoral operations and
support for special forces, including
accommodation for commandos and
their equipment and an add-on dorsal
shelter housing commando equipment
(swimmer delivery vehicle, etc.).
POWER: nc
SPEED: 25 kts
WEAPONS:
4 x torpedo tubes (533 mm)
20 weapons (torpedoes, missiles)
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DCNS's Cherbourg shipyard

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
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The Mesma air-independent propulsion system significantly extends the submerged
endurance of conventional-propulsion submarines by reducing the time they need to
spend snorting to recharge their batteries. Thoroughly sea-proven thanks to several
years operational service on DCNS-designed Agosta 90B submarines deployed by
the Pakistan Navy, Mesma is based on nuclear engineering technologies, but with
a combustion chamber burning ethanol or fuel oil (for the Agosta 90B and Scorpene
versions, respectively). The Scorpene version shares its fuel supply with the boats diesel
engines. The combustion gases heat water to yield high-pressure steamdriving a turbine
coupled to an alternator. Instead of air, the system uses oxygen stored in a cryogenic
tank as the oxidant. To avoid releasing spent gases (mostly CO2) directly into the sea and
thereby compromising the boats acoustic discretion, the exhaust system dilutes them
in water. DCNS claims that the system packaged as a 9m-long fully-integrated and
weight-balanced plug can triple SSK submerged endurance to three weeks on low-
speed patrols. Note that French R&D teams are also working to increase battery capacity
by switching to a lithium-ion technology.
Mesma AIP
SUBMARINES

Scorpene
POWER: 2,800 kW
SPEED: 20 kts
WEAPONS:
6 torpedo tubes (533 mm)
18 weapons (torpedoes, missiles)
Initially co-produced with
Spain, Scorpene sub-
marines are now market-
ed solely by DCNS.
Following the delivery of
two Scorpenes to Chile
in 2006-7, then two
to Malaysia in 2009-
10, six are now under
construction in India and
four in Brazil (for delivery
between 2017 and 2021).
In India and Brazil, DCNS is supporting
local shipyards through technology
transfer agreements. The Brazilian
contract also calls for the design and
construction of a submarine shipyard
and a submarine base* on Sepetiba
Bay to the west of Rio de Janeiro.
These facilities are being designed and
built with DCNS technical assistance
by Itagua Construes Navais (ICN),
a local joint venture set up by Brazilian
Group Odebrecht and DCNS.
The Scorpene has won a reputation
as one of the best SSKs in its class,
not least for its stealth. Leveraging
innovations developed for French
nuclear-powered submarines, the
family incorporates the latest advances
in hydrodynamics, acoustic discretion
and sonar, including flank and reelable
towed arrays; the last for improved
manoeuvrability in littoral waters.
Thanks to a cofferdam, the hull now
offers two refuge compartments. All
systems are highly automated for
operation by a complement of 30
with additional accommodation for six
commandos.
Scorpene submarines can readily
accommodate the DCNS-designed
Mesma AIP system to significantly
extend submerged endurance
(see below). The Subtics combat
system continues to evolve as new
functionalities are added. DCNS now
offers the Scorpene with the new
A3SM anti-air missile system using
Mistral or Mica missiles and will soon
add a unmanned underwater vehicle
option for offboard surveillance.
* The Brazilian contract also includes technical
assistance with the design and construction of
the non-nuclear portions of Brazils first SSN.
Note that while DCNS-designed SSKs for export
customers incorporate advances developed for
the countrys SSN and SSBN programmes, France
does not sell nuclear technologies for military
applications.
Planned Brazilian shipyard on Sepetiba Bay
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SUBMARINES
DIMENSIONS (m): 52
POWER: 1,000 kW
SPEED: 15 kts
WEAPONS:
6 torpedo tubes (533 mm)
6 weapons (torpedoes,
missiles)
Anti-air self-defence missiles
Side module for mine laying
Side module for UUV or SDV
SUBMARINES

Andrasta
The Andrasta project began life in 2008
as the SMX-23. Since then, this DCNS-
designed compact littoral submarine
has undergone several design reviews.
Building on feedback received from
prospective customers and the latest
advances in submarine engineering,
the group has now completed its latest
review. The new Andrasta features a
revised propulsion system and, at 52m,
is 1.5m longer than before. Whereas
the previous design called for a single
diesel engine similar to the Scorpenes
1,250-kW prime mover providing
electrical power for all auxiliaries and
surface propulsion through the main
or backup alternator, the new design
offers improved propulsion redundancy
and availability by using two engines,
each rated at around 500kW.
Patrol endurance has been extended
from two to three weeks thanks to
extra space for food and fuel while
range has increased from 3,000 to
4,000nm (at 4 knots). In addition to
a larger complement (21 instead of
19), Andrasta can accommodate six
commandos plus port and starboard
shelters for delivery vehicles and
equipment. The designs inherent
displacement margin of around 10t
enables DCNS to propose a range of
options including the side shelters
and the A3SM anti-air defence system
now or into the future.
As before, the sonar suite is designed
around a cylindrical bow array which,
like the Scorpenes, is now under the
boats chin (i.e. under the weapon
tubes) rather than on the bow proper.
The six removable weapon tubes are
now outside the pressure hull and
part of the frame supporting the outer
skin. This greatly simplifies the overall
design. The tubes are designed to
be loaded (with torpedoes, anti-ship
missiles or mines) in a workshop
then inserted into the bow cavities at
the quayside (i.e. without having to
drydock).Other refinements include
a more streamline hull and reprofiled
control planes offering improved
hydrodynamic efficiency. Aft, the
X-shaped rudder is the same, but
the hull now has two small horizontal
winglets for improved stability in
the vertical plane. The sails glass-
enclosed bridge has also been replaced
by a conventional conning station.
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Bow modules (between
pressure hull and outer skin).
Three weapon tubes per
module. Optional bow module
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and equipment.

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Sea and Navy
SUBMARINES
NSRS
Europes new Nato
submarine rescue system
is now fully operational.
The NSRS, developed
jointly by France, the UK
and Norway, first entered
service in late 2008.
Based at Clyde naval base
in Scotland, the vehicle is
air-transportable by C-5, C-17, C-130
or A400 aircraft to ensure a total time
to rescue site of less than 72 hours.
At sea, the system, built by Rolls-
Royce, can be set up on any platform
supply vessel (PSV) or similar with an
A-frame, crane and a deck area of at
least 420m to accommodate 300t of
equipment including the submarine
rescue vehicle proper. Propulsion is
provided by two main units powered by
high-performance Zebra batteries. The
SRV can be linked to the mother ship
by an optical fibre umbilical cable for
real-time communications, including
imagery. The vehicle can operate at
depths to 610m, this figure being the
result of a trade-off between system
costs and probable rescue scenarios.
Although submarines can dive to
greater depths, if one sinks beyond
the continental shelf, its fate is sealed
given that nearly all of the remaining
ocean is thousands of metres deep.
The craft is operated by a crew of
three a pilot, a co-pilot and a rescue
chamber operator whose job it is to
open the hatch between the cham-
ber and the stranded submarine then
transfer survivors to the rescue vehicle.
The SRV can mate with submarine
rescue hatches at any angle of up to
60 to the horizontal. The pilot and
rescue compartments have separate
pressurisation systems so that the
latter can be pressurised to the same
overpressure (between 0.8 and 5bar)
as the stricken submarine. The rescue
vehicle is designed to ferry groups
of up to 15 rescuees to the mother
vessel where it can be mated with the
transfer-under-pressure (TUP) module.
The TUP mates, in turn, with two
identical decompression chambers
accommodating a total of 72 survi-
vors, including six on intensive-care
stretchers. Together, the rescue vehicle,
the 12-person TUP and the 72-person
decompression chambers offer a ca-
pacity of 99, enough for the entire crew
of most submarines now in service.
DISPLACEMENT: 30 t
DIMENSIONS (m):
8.3 x 3.5
POWER: nc
SPEED: 49 kts
SRV
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
At sea, ships need to know where
they are at all times and to the highest
possible accuracy. This has always
been a challenge. Once out of sight
of landmarks, the only reference
points for autonomous position fixing
are the Sun and stars, when visible
(which is seldom indeed in the case
of submarines). To be both effective
and independent of external systems,
including GPS and other satellites,
ships need autonomous instruments.
Modern inertial systems meet this need
by integrating the platforms motion
over time to determine its precise
position in space. FOGs measure and
integrate rotation rates to deliver the
platforms attitude while accelerometer
output signals are integrated to yield
speeds and distances. Sophisticated
algorithms use this information to
continuously update the platforms
position relative to its starting point
along with its attitude (roll, pitch and
yaw), speed and heading.
In just a few years, French group
iXBlue has emerged as the world
leader in FOG and INS. With a staff
of 450 and 15 years experience,
iXBlues core areas of expertise include
advanced-technology optics and
inertial navigation. Unlike gyrolasers
(aka ring laser gyros), which use
vibrating mirrors and counter-rotating
laser beams in a plasma, fibre-
optic devices have no moving parts,
hence no wear, and preserve beam
polarisation irrespective of wavelength.
Other advantages include lower
power consumption and vibration-
free operation, a key consideration
with regard to acoustic discretion.
Performance is theoretically unlimited
since it depends primarily on the
length of the fibre-optic coil. Thus, the
longer the coil, the higher the accuracy.
Availability is also impressive since
the technology requires no preventive
maintenance. This last point is
reflected in iXBlues low maintenance
revenue representing just 2.5% of total
revenue after INS sales spanning more
than ten years.
Leveraging significant advances in
the telecommunications sector in the
1990s, iXBlue produces its own optical
fibre in France in addition to designing,
producing and testing key components
for its inertial products. These factors
plus proven expertise give the group in-
house control over all key technologies
as well as production. Unrivalled
know-how and the groups growing
international standing have enabled
Inertial navigation systems are critical items of military hardware, not least
because they enable military platforms and weapon systems to determine
their position independently. France boasts world-class know-how in bre-optic
gyro and INS technologies.
FOG & INS
future
technologies
point to
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iXBlue to develop a portfolio of inertial
products for naval, aerospace and
land-based platforms in the civil and
military sectors. The four main product
families Quadrans, Octans, Phins
and Marins use fibre-optic coils from
50 to 200mm resulting in progressively
higher accuracies meeting a range of
customer needs.
iXBlue boasts an impressive customer
list. Its products are on European
satellites (Galileo, Pliades, Spot 6)
and were recently selected for US
spacecraft; they also equip around
80% of the worldwide offshore oil
industrys underwater vehicles and
robots. Ships serving this sector, where
reliability and accuracy are the highest
priorities, also use iXBlue systems
for precision dynamic positioning.
Research vessels and hydrographic
ships engaged in seafloor mapping
are also leading users.
Building on experience acquired in the
civil sector, iXBlue turned to military
applications ranging from inertial
navigation to weapon stabilisation
and missile alignment for precision
targeting. From Asia and Europe to the
Middle East and North America, iXBlue
products equip surface combatants,
submarines and autonomous
underwater vehicles (AUVs). The
French Navy selected Marins INSs
for the modernisation of its Jean Bart
and Cassard air defence frigates,
Phins INSs for its La
F aye t t e - cl a s s
frigates
a n d
Quadrans
FOGs for 35 other vessels.
The US Coast Guard selected iXBlue
products for various vessels while the
Royal Navy chose the Marins family for
its new-generation Astute-class SSNs
and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft
carriers now under construction. As
the reputation of iXBlue products
continues to gain momentum, other
fleets are expressing interest.
The land forces weapons industry
is also attentive as recent conflicts
have demonstrated that GPS systems
can be jammed or even dangerous
with some improvised explosive
devices (IEDs) now tuned to GPS
frequencies. Inertial systems
overcome this problem by enabling
military vehicles to navigate across
battlefields autonomously while their
output signals can also be used to
improve weapon targeting. The
international catalogue of Nexter,
Frances leading manufacturer of land
forces weapons, features versions
of the Caesar self-propelled howitzer
equipped with iXBlue products.
iXBlues total sales topped 3,000
units following the delivery of 450 in
2011 and 550 in 2012. With exports
representing 90% of output and
demand continuing to grow strongly,
iXBlue has expanded its manufacturing
capacity. In February 2013, the group
commissioned a new production line at
its Lannion plant in western France.
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Ring laser gyro
technology
Sagem, a subsidiary of the Safran
group, is a long-established supplier
of inertial platforms to the French and
other armed forces. The company built
its reputation in this field through its
contributions to the development of
Frances nuclear strike force before
going on to improve the operational
performance of an array of conventional
weapons.
Sigma ring-laser gyros are flagship
Sagem products. Variants of the
Sigma 40 INS meet a variety of needs
aboard submarines and surface
combatants from aircraft carriers
to corvettes. Sagem is renowned
for the reliability, performance and
accuracy of its naval INS solutions and
its capacity to develop and produce
systems tailored to specific platform
and mission constraints.
With exceptional performance and
over six million operating hours
logged, the Sigma 40 range is the
worlds biggest selling naval INS.
Sagem claims that feedback from
navies around the world continues
to confirm the superiority of its RLG
technology. These products combine
reliability, high short- and long-term
accuracy and extreme ruggedness; all
essential for naval operations under
severe environmental conditions. CVN
Charles de Gaulle, Mistral-class force
projection vessels, Horizon and
FREMM frigates, Barracuda SSNs
Sigma 40 systems are carried by most
French warships in service or under
construction. On the international
market, 30 other navies have followed
the French example. From South
Koreas FFX frigates and PKX patrol
vessels to Norways Skjold-class fast
patrol boats, the UAEs Baynunah-class
corvettes and Indias future Vikrant
aircraft carrier and new-generation
frigates. Sigma 40 systems also equip
60 submarines (12 classes and types),
including DCNS-designed Scorpenes.
All over the world, Sagem INS systems
have been selected for new-build and
modernisation programmes.
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Gyrolaser flling station
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ESPACE
Satellite-based systems can observe
planet Earth in surprising detail. The
highest performance satellites in low-
Earth orbits (between 600 and 800km)
offer resolutions of just a few tens of
centimetres. Space-based observation
is a decisive capability for informing
policymakers and forces in the field,
giving them the clear picture they
need to gain detailed insight, plan
and act. Satellites gather intelligence,
monitor situations and detect threats
unobtrusively, without penetrating air
space or endangering lives.
European military systems include
the Hlios 2A and Hlios 2B satellites
operating in the visible and IR
and launched in 2005 and 2009,
respectively, by five countries (France,
Belgium, Spain, Italy and Greece); the
German and Italian constellations of
SAR-Lupe radar satellites launched
between 2005 and 2008 and the
Italian Cosmo-SkyMed system.
Starting in 2015, all are scheduled to
be replaced by the European Musis
system. Optical, IR and radar systems
are complementary, each with its own
advantages and disadvantages. Optical
instruments cannot see through clouds;
IR instruments can see at night but are
of limited use under certain weather
conditions; radars measure speeds,
but have limited resolution and the
list doesnt end there. However, all
satellites in low-Earth orbits share one
common shortcoming in that they only
pass over any given locality once every
few days. To improve their coverage
and revisit frequency, both civil and
military systems generally use two or
more satellites.
The new Spot/Pliades optical satellite
constellation built by Astrium is a
case in point. Spot 6, launched in
September 2012, has an imaging
swathe of 60km and a resolution of
1.5m. In early 2014, it will be joined
by Spot 7. Together, the two will
ensure daily revisits to any location
on Earth and an acquisition capacity
of 6 million sq.km per day. Spot 6 and
7 will be operated in conjunction with
the Pliades civil/military constellation
Space-based systems are not only as vital
for communications as they are for gathering
intelligence; they also give a country strategically
critical autonomous decision-making.
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Pliades satellite
Hlios satellite
Space-based observati
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SPACE

SatComms
comprising Pliades 1a, launched
in December 2011, and Pliades
1b launched one year later. The
instruments on the Pliades satellites
can acquire imagery of any location
up to 1,500km off-track while offering
an acquisition capacity of 450 images
per day, a resolution of 70cm (50cm
after processing) and an image width
of 20km. From 2014, imagery of any
point on Earth will be accessible every
day to satellites managed by Astrium
Explosive growth in demand for communi-
cations capacity in both the civil and military
sectors has been accompanied by steady
growth in satellite-based systems. For im-
agery and other data streams exceeding the
capabilities of conventional radio, satellites
are the prime relays to and from ships at sea
without access to high-speed landlines or
optical fibre. Satellites enable naval forces
to remain in constant contact with their
HQ while communicating with each other.
Communications extend, naturally, to joint
and allied forces and operations involving
air, land and sea-based assets via Link
datalinks including L16 links using satellite
relays. Because they slash response times
while leveraging force capabilities, data
exchanges are crucial to military opera-
tions. Military forces use secure links pro-
vided by dedicated military satellites. French
forces use the Syracuse system developed
by Thales/Alenia; British forces the Skynet
system by Astrium. For crew communications
and when in areas not covered by their own
military satellites, all military forces also use
civil satellite systems, including Inmarsat,
Eutelsat, Intelsat and Iridium. French Navy
crews use prepaid cards and Astriums
Escale des Armes solution to communicate
with their families via the internet. Sensitive
communications are, of course, encrypted.
Although traditionally large, communica-
tions antennas are increasingly based on
new technologies that take up much less
space. The move to higher frequencies,
specifically Ka-band systems, has also
resulted in smaller and lighter antennas
suitable for smaller and smaller vessels.
Services with both high- and very-
high-resolution instruments Spot 6
and 7 acquiring wide-area imagery
while the Pliades spacecraft can
be tasked to acquire the same areas
of interest with a smaller width but
far greater detail. The ground-based
image processing systems are also
being upgraded to deliver imagery
to customers in just a few hours.
Looking further ahead, Astrium plans
to make imagery available in real time
by using satellites in higher orbits.
In geostationary orbit (36,000km),
a single satellite offers continuous
coverage of one-third of the Earth with
a resolution of around 2m. Continuous
area-wide coverage, including video,
is among the aims of Astriums
GO-3S project. Note also that the
French lisa demonstration satellite
launched in late 2011 is a military
system designed to pinpoint and
characterise ground radars.
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SAR-Lupe constellation Libyan corvette sunk in Tripoli harbour
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Sea and Navy
COMBAT SYSTEMS
Combat management
The performance, integratedness and
reliability of a warships combat system
and the CMS controlling it are critical to
the assets overall effectiveness. As the
variety of shipboard sensors expands
and littoral actions bring new threats
while demanding faster-than-ever
response times, a number of navies
have suffered the bitter experience of
CMSs that underperformed just when
they were most needed.
In this advanced-technology sector,
which also demands hands-on know-
how, DCNS and Thales are industry
leaders. Both these European players
have made solid progress in recent
years in CMS, the nerve centre of all
naval combat systems, with products
that fuse and process sensor data
to display the host vessels tactical
situation and propose which weapons
and countermeasures to use and when.
Whereas most combat systems are
of the federated type, with weapon
systems and CMS communicating via
interfaces handling layered data, more
advanced centralised architectures
are now being developed to
automatically aggregate and correlate
in-coming sensor data including
data from electronic warfare suites
and offboard sensor platforms to
determine the host vessels tactical
situation and share it with the rest of
the force. Such is the approach adopted
by DCNS for Setis, the latest addition to
its CMS portfolio and among the most
advanced in the world.
Setis, now in use on the French Navys
FREMM frigates, combines excep-
tional processing power with datalinks
exchanging tactical information of
unprecedented detail and accuracy
with joint and allied forces. Designed
from the outset to constantly update
a multi-platform tactical situation,
interact with all participants (ships,
submarines, aircraft, etc.) and exploit
all networked sensors (radars, sonars,
EW suites, UxVs, etc.), Setis also boasts
a cooperative engagement capability
(CEC) or the ability to engage a target
visible to one network participant
but not the one firing the weapon.
This increasing complexity has also
demanded extensive work on the
CMSs human-machine interface to
ensure that operators are presented
with information that is useful, simple
and intuitive. Technological advances,
including advanced commercial off-
the-shelf hardware, and ever-greater
functional integration have resulted in
totally reconfigurable multifunction
consoles. These give full access to the
entire system enabling operators to
optimise workload sharing according
to the situation and recover gracefully
in the event of a failure or combat
damage. The inherent redundancy
of multiple multifunction consoles
adds to that of a system comprising
multiple CPUs and dispersed autono-
mous networks.
In addition to CMSs for front-line
fighting ships, DCNS and Thales
are also developing systems for
patrol boats and lightly armed ships,
including LHDs and logistic support
vessels. DCNSs Polaris and a compact
version of Thaless Tacticos are
cases in point. Both offer inte-
grated sensor and weapon system
management along with force-level
networking.
The CMS is the warships central nervous
system. It manages an ever-increasing variety of
complex systems and subsystems in coordination
with joint and/or allied networks.
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COMBAT SYSTEMS

Command & Control
Compared with full-size fighting
ships featuring sophisticated combat
systems, smaller vessels and support
ships are generally less well endowed.
In response to emerging threats,
these vessels are now considered to
need more powerful weapons and
self-defence systems and simplified
command and control systems,
particularly as they operate increasingly
in littoral waters where short response
times are of the essence. MBDAs
Compact Warfare
Over the years ahead, ops rooms will
undergo a profound transformation. As
a result of both technological change
and innovations, operators analysing
output from their ships CMS will have
to deal with far more information and
imagery. Network-centric warfare
(NCW) systems will further accelerate
the process. Assuming that information
supremacy is the overriding objective,
information overload must be avoided at
all cost. Too much information impairs
decision-making and slows responses.
This is why DCNSs Advansea pro-
gramme aims to put operators back in
the loop and, indeed, at the centre of
the system. The DCNS approach aims
to optimise data processing and display
systems so that operators can pull back
from their displays and see what is going
on, rather than just the information.
This will be achieved by improving the
System Package (CWSP) is designed
for integrated sensor/weapon
management on vessels armed with
either missiles or remotely controlled
guns. The range comprises two
versions: CWSP-PB for fast patrol
boats and CWSP-SD for support
vessels. The SD version can manage
one to four automatic Simbad-RC
turrets each carrying two ready-to-fire
Mistral anti-air missiles. In addition to
the Simbad-
human-machine interface, using sim-
pler, more intuitive tools, improving
display screens and how they present
information, and replacing traditional
consoles by tablet devices and tactile
desks. One of the challenges is to plan
ahead and take full advantage of the
upcoming generations of military per-
sonnel now growing up as intuitive
users of IT and other new technologies.
To improve workload management and
promote dialogue and concerted think-
ing, DCNS is investigating layouts
with pairs of operators at side-by-side
consoles working either independently
or together by sharing information on
a common screen divided into various
windows. Tactile plotting tables are
also anticipated. These will promote
work and thinking in small groups.
They will also enable a duty officer to
monitor a situation in real time.
RC turrets, the PB version can also
manage up to two launchers, each
deploying two Marte Mk2/N medium-
range anti-ship missiles.
MBDA offers armed forces and
naval shipyards solutions combining
lightweight combat systems and
missiles as complete self-contained
packages.
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
SENSORS
Radars
A surface combatants weapon
systems are of little use without
high-performance radars to detect,
identify and track targets. In response
to continuing budget constraints,
the focus is increasingly on 3D
multifunction radars for air/surface
search and missile guidance.
Thales has developed SMART-S and
Herakles, selected for the French
and Moroccan FREMM frigates and
Singapores Formidable-class frigates.
Herakles offers a range of 250km
and very fast response thanks
to a scan time (corresponding to
antenna revolution time) of less than
one second making it ideal for use
in littoral zones. This radar is also
a candidate for a tactical ballistic
missile defence (TBMD) system. To
this end, two test firings of Aster
missiles were conducted in 2010 and
2011 using an Arabel X-band radar,
Herakles being an S-band version of
Arabel. In this configuration, Herakles
would perform target designation
using input data from a long-range air
search radar like Thaless SMART-L
in. The SMART-L, which can detect
targets at over 400km, is already in
use on a number of air defence vessels
(including Horizon and Type 45 plus the
Netherlands LC F and Germanys F124
frigates) alongside their multifunction
radars. The Netherlands Navy plans
to upgrade its SMART-L radars to
give them TBMD early warning and
target designation capabilities. This
version will use a new active electronic
scanning antenna.
Another major trend in radar is the
adoption of phased-array antennas,
also known as active electronic
scanning antennas. With no rotating
components, hence vastly better
mechanical reliability, these offer 360
coverage and improved detection.
Capitalising on the experience acquired
with its active phased-array radar
(APAR), Thales developed the SM400
incorporated into the integrated
masts equipping the Netherlands
Navys Holland-class advanced patrol
vessels. The company then built on this
experience to develop a radar designed
in conjunction with French naval
shipbuilder DCNS for an air defence
variant of the FREMM frigate. The
resulting Sea Fire 500 radar uses the
same solid-state GaN (gallium nitride)
transmit amplifiers as the SM400.
This technology, available solely from
companies in France and the US, is
believed to offer the highest perform-
ance for this type of application, along
with high reliability and remarkably
high efficiency. The resulting all-digital
system features several thousand
radiating elements, each with its
own individual receiver. According to
Thales, this ensures more flexible beam
formation and increased resilience to
enemy countermeasures.
In response to evolving threats and budget
constraints, the dominant trends in radar are
multifunctionality, array antennas and TBMD.
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Smart-S radar
Smart-L radar Sea Fire 500 radar on FREMM
SENSORS

Integrated masts
Integrated masts, also known as
enclosed masts, are a key trend in
naval radar. The prime design aim is to
place a ships electronic sensors and
transmitters inside a single structure
while ensuring panoramic coverage
for all. Given the number of items and
their ever-increasing sensitivity, this
is a considerable challenge. Grouping
the ships sensors (radars along with
electronic warfare, electro-optical
and communications systems) also
saves space and weight, making
this option especially important for
smaller vessels. There are two basic
approaches. The first is to place the
conventional rotating antennas of
a search radar and a navigation
radar under a single high-
strength radome that also serves
as the masts structure. The new
Cmast developed by French
shipbuilder CMN, EADS
subsidiary Cassidian and
Ineo Defense is an example.
Weighing just one tonne,
the Cmast is extremely
compact and lightweight.
It is offered with
CMNs Combattante
and Vigilante
families and can
accommodate a
TRS-3D radar. French naval shipbuilder
DCNS has developed a single enclosed
mast for its Gowind corvette/OPV
family and logistic support vessels.
This mast can accommodate a Scanter,
Sea Giraffe, SMART-S or TRS-3D radar
and significantly and innovatively a
combat information centre complete
with all its equipment. The entire mast/
CIC assembly can therefore be installed
as a single block then removed, with
equal ease, for maintenance an
innovation that reduces both ownership
costs and layup times. Obsolescence
management is made easier if a
spare mast is upgraded ashore then
changed-out for a shipboard mast.
Thales, an industry leader in
integrated masts, has opted to
develop the I-Mast family of
phased-array antennas rather
than the revolving mechanical
type. The concept was selected
for the Netherlands Navys new-
generation OPVs and the Karel
Doorman logistic support vessel.
These ships are equipped with the
I-Mast 400 housing a
SMILE radar (a deriv-
ative of the SMART and
APAR types) with four
planar arrays.
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Installing I-MAST 400 on OPV Holland C-Mast
DCNS enclosed mast and modules

Sea and Navy
DTECTION
Identification, protection, intelligence
gathering, weapon direction optronic
systems play a critical role in naval
operations from high-intensity combat
to dealing with asymmetrical threats.
The performance and efficiency of
these systems depend on a combination
of technologies and the optimal
integration of capabilities ranging from
passive multispectral imagery to active
imagery, range-finding, laser directing
and designation, geolocation, image
processing, tracking and stabilisation.
For surface combatants with
sophisticated combat systems, Sagem,
a leader in optronic devices, develops
and produces IR search & track
systems. The companys Vampir NG
passive panoramic IRST was selected
for the Royal Australian Navys Anzac-
class frigates as well as its future air
warfare destroyers and LHDs. The
Russian Navy selected Vampir NG for
its BPC-type LHDs, as has the French
Navy for its surveillance frigates, BPC
vessels and OPV LAdroit. The UAEs
Baynunah-class corvettes also use
them. Sagems EOMS NG multifunction
optronic system combines an IRST
with an electro-optical gun fire control
in a single unit. Used in conjunction
with decoy launchers, anti-air missiles
or a ships guns, these systems form
an integral part of the vessels self-
defence suite. IR technologies are
particularly useful against missiles
using a combination of passive and
GPS guidance. In combat scenarios
demanding radio silence, optronic
systems supply useful intelligence
while on carriers, they are part of the
flight deck suite.
To meet the evolving needs of coast
guards and their ever-broader variety
of missions, Sagem recently expanded
its product range to the gyro-stabilised
Vigy Observer multi-sensor turret.
This compact, modular device can be
quickly and conveniently installed on
any type of ship, including small patrol
vessels. It offers accurate geolocation
while observing and identifying targets
at sea by day or night. Vigy Observer
has been selected for the Indian Navys
new type 1300 FIC interceptors and the
protection it offers against asymmetric
threats. In this market segment,
where cost-benefit is the main
challenge, Sagem has opted for proven
technologies and mass-produced
components. The IR sensors are the
same as those in Sagems JIM new-
generation long-range multifunction IR
binoculars while the mechanical parts
of the turret are the same as those
used in optronic turrets for armoured
vehicles.
Optronic systems are vital compo-
nents of a submarines above-surface
sensors. Sagem is a key player in this
sector with penetrating periscopes,
optronic masts and non-penetrating
radar masts for various types, including
the French-designed Scorpene. The
above-surface sensors of Frances
Barracuda SSNs will be mounted on
Sagem non-penetrating masts.
Sea-based aircraft operations also
benefit greatly from electro-optical
systems. Gyrostabilised Euroflir
observation systems are used on NH90
NFH, EC725 and Panther helicopters.
In 2012 a Patroller UAV also tested a
Euroflir 350 ball with a HD TV camera,
a third-generation IR sensor and a
laser range-finder.
Optronic systems
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Vigy Observer Eurofir
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Sea and Navy
Electronic warfare
Shipboard EW systems are primarily
intended to protect warships against
attacking missiles. They typically
comprise a passive electronic support
measures (ESM) subsystem and
active anti-missile countermeasures,
including decoys, jammers and rapid-
fire guns. ESM systems detect radar
signals, analyse and characterise
them, then identify the source.
Surface combatants are commonly
equipped with both ESM and active
countermeasures. Surface vessels
engaged in maritime surveillance and
policing carry ESM systems to detect
maritime patrol aircraft. Submarines
also carry ESM systems. ESM uses
databases that are constantly updated
by airborne and naval electronic
signals intelligence (ELINT) systems.
Some navies (including France with
the Dupuy de Lme) have vessels
specifically designed to gather
electromagnetic intelligence.
As the sensitivity of EW receivers
continues to improve, so range and
estimated source direction and
distance continue to improve. Thaless
Vigile family of radar ESMs uses
superheterodyne technology to detect
airborne radars at ranges two to three
times greater than most broadband
devices. French and Italian Horizon
and FREMM frigates have a clear
operational advantage over potential
adversaries thanks to these devices.
Many navies also seek more powerful
jammers to jam the radar seekers of
attacking missiles at greater ranges
and for wide-area jamming, particularly
of enemy coastal radar receivers.
LITTORAL ENVIRONMENT
As naval operations shift from the
open ocean to the littorals, where
warships are significantly more
vulnerable to attack, EW also faces
greater challenges. Nearer to land,
EW receivers have to deal with a
vastly increased number of emitters,
including terrestrial 3G and 4G mobile
telephony networks. To do their job,
EW receivers must reliably distinguish
between enemy emitters and everyday
telecommunications signals which
in some cases can be confused with
radars. Amidst the electromagnetic
clutter, they must continue to reliably
detect low-power radar signals,
Electronic warfare, long a crucial aspect of naval combat, is now more important
than ever given the growing importance of littoral operations. Today, even small
warships carry sophisticated EW suites.
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Vigile DPX Dupuy de Lme strategic SIGINT vessel
including low probability of interception
(LPI) types such as those found on
civilian boats that can also be used
for piracy and terrorist attacks. Hence
the expanding range of products on
offer, like Thaless Vigile DPX which
is optimised to detect radar amidst 3G
and 4G clutter.
Nor is EW confined to frontline fighting
ships as in the past. Today, even
relatively small vessels performing
a growing range of missions and
operating in the littorals carry EW
suites. ESM gives them an overview
of their tactical situation and identifies
threats. Technological advances and
lower costs are contributing to the
trend with purpose-designed products
like Thaless Vigile LW which combines
excellent performance and low weight
(30kg, compared with 100kg for a
conventional ESM), making it easier to
integrate with a smaller vessels mast.
This product is unique in that its simple,
user-friendly interface can be used by
a patrol boats crew to interpret radar
interceptions without the need for
specialist EW training. It can also be
linked to a decoy launcher.

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
COUNTERMEASURE
Decoys
Decoys are used in conjunction with
a vessels self-defence missiles, guns
and active electronic warfare devices.
How they are used depends on each
navys tactical doctrine. Broadly
speaking, decoys are designed to
confuse, distract or seduce, depending
on what the in-coming missile is
doing (launch imminent, in flight with
seeker searching for the target, or
seeker locked on and about to strike).
Despite the improving effectiveness of
the latest-generation radar jammers,
leading navies continue to trust decoy
systems. One advantage is the ability
to mix decoy/jammer tactics to better
defeat anti-ship missiles using IR
seekers or advanced electromagnetic
countermeasures.
From the early 1990s, the manufac-
turers of anti-ship missiles and
their seekers began to adopt newly
miniaturised electronic components
with vastly greater processing power
resulting in products that could easily
outsmart conventional decoys. These
seekers instantly perform target
spectral analysis in the space and
time domains enabling them to reject
all radar echoes and IR radiation
that does not match the target ships
signature. As a result, decoys using
traditional chaff or basic IR emitting
compounds consistently fail to distract
most modern anti-ship missiles. On
the other hand, recent technological
advances have significantly increased
the effectiveness and credibility of
passive decoys. French company
tienne Lacroix, for instance, has
developed the new-generation Seaclad
range of passive decoys to counter
such advanced threats. Now qualified
by the French Navy, these products
use structural decoys in the RF range,
spectral types in the IR range and
masking effects in the optronic range.
According to Lacroix Defence &
Security, this new generation of
effective, credible decoys offers
unparalleled protection at a highly
competitive price, especially when
compared with other self-protection
solutions like anti-missile missiles
and active decoys. Another advantage
of Seaclad decoys is their full
compatibility with all other shipboard
systems. This is important as it was
not true of earlier generations. Seaclad
decoys are in service on more than 30
ships and being installed on a further
50.
Lacroix decoys can be used in
conjunction with Sagems NGDS
system or Sylena launcher to further
optimise the positioning of decoy
terminal effects. Combination solutions
can be tailored to vessels from patrol
boats to stealth frigates. Easy to install
on ships with ASW capabilities and
economical to purchase and maintain,
Sylena can also be combined with anti-
torpedo solutions.
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Sylena decoy launcher
NGDS decoy launcher
Just as missile decoys have had
to adapt to smarter missiles,
so torpedo decoys have had to
adapt as smarter torpedoes are
deployed. Towed decoys such
as those widely employed in
the 1990s take a long time to
deploy, are easily identified and no
longer effective against the latest
torpedoes. Meanwhile, the speed,
range and acoustic capabilities
of torpedoes have improved
dramatically, enabling them to
defeat most countermeasures
deployed over the last 20 years
by either surface combatants or
submarines. New solutions are
under development to offer navies
improved protection, the need
becoming increasingly imperious
as the number of submarine fleets
increases. As a designer and
supplier of both submarines and
torpedoes, DCNS is well placed to
design countermeasure systems
capable of defeating attacks by
the latest torpedoes. The group
now markets two versions of
its Contralto system: Contralto-V
for surface combatants and
Contralto-S for submarines. Based
on the confusion/dilution prin-
ciple, these devices simultane-
ously generate multiple acoustic
decoys that are sufficiently
credible as to warrant analysis
by the approaching torpedos
signal processing system which
quickly saturates. The instant an
in-coming torpedo is detected,
Contralto-S coordinates with the
boats CMS to determine when to
launch salvoes of Canto decoys
while at the same time proposing
evasive manoeuvres tailored to
the submarines tactical situation.
To reduce costs, Contralto-V is
compatible with most missile
decoy launchers, enabling DCNS
to tailor the system to customer
needs and combine anti-torpedo
and anti-missile systems. To
keep Contralto-S as compact
as possible, DCNS proposes
lightweight launch tubes preloaded
with Canto decoys.
Torpedo countermeasures
COUNTERMEASURE
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Sea and Navy
SENSORS
Sonars
With over 400 submarines in service
worldwide and at least a further 150
under construction or programmed,
the ocean depths have never presented
a greater threat. Although the total
number in operation has fallen in
recent decades, more countries
are establishing fleets, often with
modern, high-performance boats. To
counter this potential threat, sonar
manufacturers continue to develop
new products offering higher sensitivity
and accuracy. Surface combatants use
two main types, namely hull-mounted
sonars and towed arrays, the former
being the more common. Hull-mounted
sonars are especially useful in littoral
waters, but less effective in deep
water where their transmitted energy
is reflected by thermal layers. Towed
arrays, and more specifically the VDS
or variable-depth type, offer better
deep-water performance because
they can be operated below these
thermal layers. By varying an arrays
depth according to the environment
(water salinity, temperature and
pressure), which directly influences
wave propagation, the volume of
water explored is vastly increased.
The Captas 4 VDS developed by Thales
Underwater Systems represents the
state of the art. Housed in a towed
fish that can dive to over 300m, the
transmit array comprises four ceramic
rings transmitting very-low-frequency
active waves over long distances.
The linear receive array is deployed
independently.
Captas 4s key strength is that the
receive array instantly resolves right/
left ambiguity to determine whether
a noise is coming from the port or
starboard side. This is a big advantage
in blue water and even more so in
littoral zones where large numbers of
signals are picked up at any one time.
Captas 4 is designed to give full-size
warships acoustic superiority over
submarines. It is used by the Royal
Navys Type 23 frigates and FREMM
frigates operated by the French and
Italian Navies. It is also well placed
for the US Navys Littoral Combat Ship
(LCS) programme.
Sonar performance is of greater strategic importance to navies than ever
before for the simple reason that it is a key factor in determining the
effectiveness of assets at sea and their protection against the growing
threat of enemy submarines.
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Captas 4 towed array
DTECTION

Responding to the needs of the many
navies wishing to equip medium-
displacement fighting ships with a
VDS, Thales Underwater Systems has
also developed Captas 2, a compact
lightweight version of the Captas 4
system with the linear receive array
attached directly to the fish. Captas 2,
in use on Saudi Arabias F3000 guided-
missile frigates and Norways FPS
vessels, offers excellent performance
in a compact package. Smaller and
lighter still is the Captas Nano sonar
for vessels with a displacement of less
than 1,500t. TUS is working on a new
version of this entry-level sonar with a
view to reducing the cost by reusing
components from the larger Captas
sonars.
Submarine sonar systems are also
evolving. With littoral and inshore
operations increasingly common,
systems like TUSs Mine and Obstacle
Avoidance Sonar, or MOAS, have strong
market prospects. Littoral operations
also result in growing demand for
quiet, compact reeling systems to
deploy then reel in linear arrays (as
opposed to leaving them in place for
the duration of an entire mission).
Flank arrays, now being progressively
introduced by leading navies, give
submarines a clear-cut listening
advantage. Larger flank arrays are
anticipated in the near future as new
technologies result in reduced self-
noise, a key limitation to date. As
the international leader in the use
of polyvinylidene diflouride (PVDF)
transducers for military applications,
TUS soon expects to propose the
worlds most compact flank arrays.
Improving array performance, resulting
in more signals to analyse, demands
improvements in signal processing
systems, particularly as todays all-
digital systems mix and interpret data
from various arrays to improve target
detection and position fixing. The
challenge is to present operators with
a coherent overview of the data stream
while enabling them to return to older
tracks or focus on the signals returned
by a specific array.
Towed synthetic aperture sonars
Since 2010, the French Navys Antars-class sonar
vessels have been equipped with Thaless DUBM-
44, the first towed synthetic aperture sonar to be
declared operational and a major advance in mine
hunting technology.
Because an SAS is equivalent to several actual
arrays, the DUBM-44 can scan a 300 to 400m
swathe with unprecedented accuracy resulting
in real-time sonar images with a resolution
approaching that of a photo.
Thanks primarily to improved signal processing
algorithms and higher resolution imagery, the
technology has made further progress over the
last three years. The ultimate aim is to deploy an
SAS and allied software to identify mines, including
stealth mines, by type. Thales is also integrating the
DUBM-44 with an unmanned surface vehicle; the
SAS and USV working together to relay underwater
mapping data to the mother vessel. This project
is being conducted under Frances Espadon
programme (see p. 82-83).
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Sea and Navy
Dipping sonars
SENSORS
dip its sonar more often and respond
more quickly to a submarines evasive
manoeuvres. The high-performance
Flash winch lowers and raises the
sonar at the record speed of 10m/s.
Flash, already one of the most compact
dipping sonars on the market, will soon
be even lighter and more compact
thanks to a TUS design effort to tailor it
to smaller helicopters.
Note also that the Flash Sonics
version also processes signals from
air-deployed sonobuoys. With new-
generation all-digital sonobuoys and
the associated signal processing
systems offering significantly higher
performance, this approach can be
used to explore a far larger volume
of water. The combination offers a
tactical advantage given that the sonar
can be deployed at various points while
the sonobuoys transmit continuously
for several hours.
In anti-submarine warfare (ASW),
airborne systems are an essential
adjunct to shipboard systems. In
particular, helicopterborne dipping
sonars can explore a wider area
and quickly relocate in response to
the signals received. While hovering
over water, the helicopter deploys its
dipping sonar to various depths like
a variable-depth sonar behind a frigate
to optimise the detection according
to the seafloor profile and environment.
Here too, Thales is a world leader.
Thales Underwater Systems developed
the Flash system carried by the Royal
Navys AW-101 helicopters and new-
generation NH90 helos operated by the
French and Italian Navies. TUSs SH-60
Romeo was selected for the US Navys
ALFS programme. The Flash designs
key strength, aside from exceptional
sonar performance, is the efficiency
of the winch which can deploy the
sonar to 700m then recover it in record
time. This means that the helo can
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CONTRE-MESURES

Sea and Navy
EURONAVAL 2012 74 75
Sea and Navy
2012 EURONAVAL
MISSILES
Ballistic missile defence
Although complex and costly, tactical ballistic missile defence systems look
set to be one of the big challenges of the next few years, the need being
dictated by the growing number and range of theatre ballistic missiles.
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1
IRANIAN BALLISTIC MISSILES
5
4
3
2
1 1,000 km: Shahab-3
1,500 km: Shahab-3D
2,000 km: Shahab-4
3,500 km: Shahab-5 (not operational)
5,500 km: Shahab-6 (not operational)
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500 km: Hwasong
1,500 km: Nodong-2
4,000 km: Taepodong-2
6,000 km: Unha-3
NORTH KOREAN BALLISTIC MISSILES
All over the world, but especially in
Europe, the Middle East and Asia/
Pacific, tactical ballistic missile
defence, or TBMD, is a growing
concern. The proliferation of tactical
ballistic missiles is a growing threat,
particularly as their range continues
to increase and some countries
can or will soon be able to deploy
missiles with nuclear, biological or
chemical warheads. In 2010, the
North Atlantic Council (Natos senior
political body) estimated that, apart
from Nato countries, Russia and
China, there were between 5,550 and
6,250 ballistic missiles in service. The
Council also estimates that between
500 and 700 had a range of 2,000 to
3,000km and around 40 had a range of
3,000 to 5,500km. These ranges will
continue to increase as more countries
develop multi-stage missiles. Irans
Shahab-6 missile, a derivative of the
North Korean Taepo-dong 2, could
have a range of over 6,000km when
it becomes operational. South-eastern
Europe is already within range of
Iranian ballistic missiles.
To counter this threat, Western powers
are developing TBMD shields around
both land-based and naval missiles,
the latter being more mobile and
more readily positioned for optimal
detection and interception. Aside from
the protection of national homelands,
an additional challenge is to develop
TBMD systems that can protect distant
allies and expeditionary forces on
land or sea. Given that some theatre
ballistic missile projects call for IR
terminal guidance systems enabling
them to strike moving targets, it may
not be long before carrier groups and
the like have to face this new threat.
Chinas DF-21, a project that the US
appears to be taking very seriously, is
a case in point.
MULTIPLE SYSTEMS
Ballistic missile defence is, however,
extremely complex as it demands state-
of-the-art technologies, advanced
warning systems (satellites, long-range
radars, etc.) and mission-specific
interceptor missiles. Given the variety
of ballistic missiles in use, their ranges
and trajectories, interception volumes
can vary considerably. In addition to the
challenge of designing an interceptor
that can knock out an incoming missile
with a terminal velocity of 4,000 to
6,000m/s, it is desirable to neutralise
incoming missiles at altitudes up to a
maximum of 800km (i.e. in space) for
types following parabolic trajectories,
which offer the advantage, for the
attacker, of higher speeds during
descent and the disadvantage of being
easier to detect from far away due
to the longer flight time. So-called
depressed trajectories, on the other
hand, offer the advantage of being less
easy to detect at greater ranges and
the disadvantage, for the attacker, of
less kinetic energy during the terminal
phase making them easier to knock out
closer to the target. To get an idea of
the numbers involved, it is estimated
that a tactical ballistic missile with a
range of 800km will reach a maximum
altitude of 550km following a parabolic
trajectory, but less than 100km
following a depressed trajectory.
TBMD missiles can intercept incoming
missiles in one of three interception
volumes known as the lower endo-
atmosphere (altitudes up to 60km),
the upper endo-atmosphere (altitudes
between 60 and 120km) and the
exo-atmosphere (altitudes above
120km). However, no single TBMD
missile can cover all three volumes.
The US-developed SM-3 interceptor
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SM-3 missile
MISSILES

deployed by US Navys Arleigh Burke
class and the Japanese Navys Kongo-
class destroyers is designed primarily
to neutralise long-range missiles
(> 5,000km) following parabolic
trajectories in the exo-atmosphere.
As a result, the SM-3 cannot engage
an incoming missile with a range of
a few hundred kilometres following a
depressed trajectory at a much lower
altitude. This explains why the US,
which also deploys the land-based
Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense
(THAAD) system for missions up to
150km, plans to develop the SM-6
system to cover the lower endo-
atmosphere up to 25km.
DIVIDED EUROPE
Europe is also considering its TBMD
options. There is, however, some
disagreement within Nato between
those favouring US solutions and those
who would prefer to see Europe develop
an independent system guaranteeing
the EU operational and technological
sovereignty in this area. MBDAs Aster
missile is an ideal candidate. While
the existing land-based Aster Block1
can neutralise incoming missiles with
a range of 600km at an interception
altitude of around 10km, the proposed
Aster Block2 could cover interceptions
between 20 and 60km to provide
protection against missiles with ranges
of up to 3,000km. This combination
would provide protection against most
threats as 93% of all ballistic missiles
worldwide currently have a range of
less than 1,000km. As part of this
effort, Europe could also develop a
naval component using the Aster 30
already in service on the latest British,
French and Italian air defence vessels
(Type 45 and Horizon) which also carry
the essential long-range and tracking
radars (SMART-L for the first; Sampson
and Empar for the second). The ships
combat management systems could
also be upgraded and their sensors
optimised to give Europe its first
naval TBMD capability. Air defence
vessels with this capability based in
the Mediterranean, for example, could
provide a TBMD shield protecting the
European Union. Alternatively, they
could be relocated to protect bases
and units deployed to other countries.
Some naval electronic subsystems will
soon be upgraded in response to these
considerations. Thales, for instance,
is developing a new version of the
SMART-L radar optimised for ballistic
missile defence. This new system will
give the Netherlands Navys LCF-type
frigates a long-range warning and
target designation capability.
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Netherlands Navy LCF-type frigate
Aster missile launch on Horizon-type frigate

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MISSILES
Aster
In service since 2001, Aster was the
first missile system to be designed
from the outset as an anti-missile
weapon. Asters extreme agility
enables it to destroy high-speed in-
coming missiles on impact whether
manoeuvring, sea skimming or steep
diving. Aster missiles are also the only
type that can counter supersonic anti-
ship missiles. The seeker can track
its quarry autonomously, enabling the
host vessel to defeat saturation attacks
by simultaneously launching multiple
munitions. MBDAs formidable missile
killer has proven its capabilities in
numerous exercises.
In November 2011, an Aster 30 missile
launched by French Horizon-type
frigate Chevalier Paul hit its target
full on at a range of almost 100km. In
April 2012, an Aster missile fired by FN
frigate Forbin successfully engaged
a supersonic sea-skimming target (a
US-designed GQM-163A Coyote). This
was the first firing test of this type to
be performed in Europe.
Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles protect
the French Navys Charles de Gaulle
aircraft carrier, Franco-Italian Horizon
and FREMM frigates, British Type 45
destroyers, Saudi F3000 frigates and
Singapores Formidable-class frigates.
Aster 15s will also protect Moroccos
Mohammed VI frigate and Algerias
BDSL-type LPD.
The Aster Block1 is a candidate for
a TBMD system against in-coming
tactical ballistic missiles with a range
of 600km. For the moment, MBDA
has developed a land-based version,
but the relatively straight-forward
adaptation to a naval version awaits a
decision.
LENGTH: 4.2 m (A15) - 4.9 m (A30)
WEIGHT: 310 kg (A15) - 450 kg (A30)
SPEED: Mach 3 (A15) - Mach 4.5 (A30)
RANGE: 30 km (A15) - 100 km (A30)
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A3SM
The growing capabilities of ASW
systems deployed by rotary-and
fixed-wing aircraft on detection or
detect-and-destroy missions make it
increasingly difficult for submarines
to approach potential targets without
being detected, especially in
littoral waters. Hence the number of
navies expressing interest in anti-
air systems for their submarines.
A helicopter engaged in dipping its
sonar array is a target of special
interest because of the danger it rep-
resents for any submarine in the
vicinity. Given that the sonars of
modern submarines can detect low-
flying and hovering aircraft, they can
also determined an aircrafts bearing,
then use the strength of the sonar
signal to gauge its range. And heading
plus range means target designation.
To offer submarines self-defence
weapons, manufacturers propose
missiles using IR seekers. If the target
is a helicopter, the missile can be fired
from underwater since, on emerging
from its container, it can detect and
lock onto the heat signal emitted by the
hovering helo. If the target is a fixed-
wing MPA, the submarine has to come
up to periscope depth before firing its
missile. This concept was put forward
by DCNS in 2002 using MDBAs Mica
IR missile packaged in an underwater
vehicle. With a range of 15 to 20km
and proven effectiveness, the concept
had a drawback in that it took the place
of a torpedo or anti-ship missile in the
weapons store, thereby reducing the
boats offensive capability, particularly
if a smaller type.
In response, DCNS has now presented
an alternative solution known as the
A3SM concept comprising a dedicated
triple launcher holding Mistral missiles
with a range of 6km. The turret is
installed in the sail. To fire a missile,
the submarine comes up until the
launcher is just above the surface.
DCNS has completed basic concept
testing with very encouraging results.
A3SM will be offered for both blue-
water submarines and littoral types
like the Andrasta, subject to a modest
increase in sail height.
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MISSILES

VL Mica
Simbad RC
Vertical-launch Mica is a naval version
of MBDAs air-to-air Mica missile for
combat aircraft. The naval VL Mica
missile can be launched from a CLA or
Sylver 35A launcher.
The missile is autonomous but has a
data link to receive mid-course refresh
data when available. Optimised for
the interception of low-altitude, low-
signature targets, VL Mica is available
with an IR or RF seeker, some navies
choosing launcher configurations
Following the success of the Sadral
six-cell launcher and the Tetral four-
cell turret, MBDA now offers the
Simbad RC system with two ready-to-
fire Mistral 2 missiles.
This reloadable, fully-automated short-
range anti-air system is designed
as a primary self-defence capability
for vessels with limited space, from
patrol boats to logistic support ships
and landing craft. It can also be
mixing the two. The relatively
lightweight launcher makes VL Mica
compatible with a range of vessels
including corvettes and patrol boats.
To date, VL Mica has been selected
for Omans Khareef-project corvettes,
Moroccos Sigma vessels and the
UAEs Falaj 2 missile patrol boats.
MBDA has also developed a surface-
to-air version for local area and
coastal defence with the CLA launcher
mounted on a vehicle.
used to supplement the main anti-
air defences of frontline warships.
Interfaced with the ships surveillance
sensors and controlled from the ops
room, the Simbad RC system offers a
significantly better response time than
manual systems (5 seconds between
missile preparation and firing).
The Mistral missiles IR seeker is effec-
tive against aircraft, UAVs, anti-ship
missiles and small surface targets.
LENGTH: 1.86 m
WEIGHT: 18.7 kg
SPEED: Mach 2.5
RANGE: 6 km
LENGTH: 3.1 m
WEIGHT: 112 kg
SPEED: nc
RANGE: 20 km
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ANL/FASGW
MBDA is leading the design of a future
helicopter-launched over-the-horizon
anti-ship weapon for the British and
French Navies. In the UK the programme
is known as the future anti-surface
guided weapon (heavy) or FASGW and
in France as anti-navire lger (light
anti-ship) or ANL. The joint assessment
phase completed in 2011 confirmed
the design concept for both missile and
warhead as well as the performance
targets for the propulsion system,
sensors, terminal guidance, data-
link and antennas. The FASGW/ANL
is expected to enter service in
2015/2016 replacing the Sea Skuas
carried by Royal Navy helicopters
and to give the French Navys NH90
and Panther Mk2 helos an anti-
ship capability. On the international
market it is expected to appeal as
a replacement for the AS15TT. The
imaging IR guidance system will enable
the missile to sink or disable craft
up to the 500t class, including fast
patrol boats.
LENGTH: 2.5 m
WEIGHT: 110 kg
SPEED: High subsonic
RANGE: > 20 km
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MISSILES
Exocet
The MM40 Block3 surface-to-
surface missile is the latest addition
to MBDAs highly successful Exocet
family.The MM40 Block3 is in service
on the French Navys Horizon frigates
and will soon be operational on its
FREMM frigates. It is also in service on
Moroccos Sigma and FREMM vessels,
the UAEs Baynunah, Abu Dhabi
and Falaj 2-class ships and Omans
Khareef-project corvettes.
Compared with its predecessor, the
MM40 Block2, the MM40 Block3
offers a range of improvements
including reduced weight, but, more
importantly, it is exactly the same
size so that navies can upgrade
their existing Exocet capabilities by
retrofitting Block2 rounds without
modifying their launch systems.
Range has been doubled by adding a
new turbojet engine while a GPS unit
improves navigation for coastal and
littoral missions. Like other anti-ship
missiles, the MM40 Block3 warhead is
optimised for its mission profile; not for
hardened land targets which are better
attacked by cruise missiles.
The Exocet air-to-sea (AM) missile
for combat aircraft, helicopters and
maritime patrol aircraft has also been
upgraded. French Rafale combat
aircraft carry the all-digital AM39
Block2 Mod2. Work on the conversion
of the submarine-launched version to
all-digital electronics began in 2009.
The resulting SM39 Block2 Mod2
is compatible with the Scorpene
submarines in service with the Chilean
and Malaysian Navies and on order
for the Indian and Brazilian Navies.
It will arm Frances next-generation
Barracuda SSNs from 2017.
Recall that Exocet missiles have been
successfully deployed on several
occasions including the Falklands War
and the Iran/Iraq conflict. Over the last
30 years, over 3,600 Exocet rounds
have been sold to 35 countries.
LENGTH: 5.8 m (40B3)
WEIGHT: 780 kg
SPEED: High subsonic
RANGE: > 180 km
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MISSILES

MdCN
French defence procurement agency
DGA successfully completed the first
full qualification firing of the MdCN
cruise missile (previously known as
the Scalp Naval missile) in July 2012.
In conditions representative of a
frigate launch, the missile followed a
predetermined path over water while
simulating manoeuvres over land, then
returned to the coast to hit its target (a
stack of containers). The test validated
various design features, including the
autonomously guided terminal phase
with IR target scenario reconnaissance
ensuring the weapons exceptionally
high precision.
The MBDA-designed MdCN is a
derivative of the air-launched cruise
missile known in the UK as the Storm
Shadow and in France as the Scalp EG.
The first test firing at sea will be from
FREMM frigate Normandie in 2014.
Following complete qualification, the
missile will enter service with the
French Navy. Each FREMM frigate
will carry 16 MdCN missiles in vertical
launchers. A submarine-launched
version is also under development. In
June 2011 the first underwater test
firing validated container ejection,
water exit, container separation,
booster ignition and transition to
cruise. This new weapon is scheduled
to be operational by 2017 and to enter
service with Frances Barracuda SSNs.
From a safe stand-off range in
international waters, a MdCN missile
launched overtly by a surface
combatant or covertly by a submarine
can hit a land target over 1,000km
away. During the cruise phase, the
missiles inertial navigation system
uses both a radioaltimeter and a GPS
receiver to repeatedly reset its position
thereby allowing it to fly at very low
altitude. During the target approach
phase, it uses a passive imaging IR
seeker to recognise the target before
destroying it. Carrying a 500kg
warhead, MdCN missiles can destroy
strategic targets including control
centres and hardened shelters.
LENGTH: 6.5 m
WEIGHT: 1.4 kg
SPEED: Mach 0.8
RANGE: > 1000 km
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Scalp Naval cruise missile launched by submarine
About to hit land target
Rafale with Scalp EG cruise missiles

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MISSILES
MBDA opened the debate with the
CVS 401 Perseus, the result of MBDAs
Concept Visions initiative, a company
programme to stimulate development
and shape the future missile systems
market. The work is challenging in
that proposals have to be based on
technologies that could be fielded
in 20 years time while taking into
account changing geopolitical and
strategic contexts, the trend towards
increasingly complex naval encounters
in littoral waters and the worldwide
proliferation of surface combatants,
including quite small vessels, equipped
with modern self-defence systems.
Yet other considerations include the
advent of network-centric warfare
and the already clear trend in favour
of multi-purpose weapons, whether for
budgetary reasons or to expand each
designs military capabilities.
The Concept Visions initiative led
MBDA to propose a maritime environ-
ment weapon in the form of a multi-
purpose supersonic attack missile
with multiple effectors capable of
targeting dispersed naval and land
targets and featuring in-flight retar-
geting and terminal target recogni-
tion. Deployed by ship-based vertical
launchers or submarine launch tubes,
this 800-kg weapon flying at Mach 3
could replace existing heavy anti-ship
missiles while offering expanded land
strike capabilities against dispersed
and camouflaged time-sensitive (i.e.
mobile) targets. In the land strike role,
Perseus resembles cruise missiles
like the Scalp Naval with an advanced
navigation system based on the same
principle. Range, however, would be
just 300 kilometres, making Perseus
a truly tactical weapon rather than a
strategic one. Concept development
also took into account likely future air
defence capabilities. One attack pro-
file would involve a sea-skimming ap-
proach, another a high-level approach,
with both terminating in a near-vertical
dive with agile manoeuvring through
the defences upper sector. If used du-
ring a naval encounter or for a coastal
strike, the high-level approach ensures
the safety of merchant shipping on the
approach path but obliges the design
team to face the challenge of negotia-
ting potentially dense air traffic.
The warhead is also highly innovative
as it would combine a main charge and
two small inertially guided effectors
receiving individual target coordinates.
The three effectors allow attacks
against scattered targets in one loca-
tion (say a hardened bunker and its
missile launchers), or a coordinated
three-weapon attack against a single
target, such as a ship, the munitions
striking the forward, centre and aft
sections simultaneously, thereby satu-
rating the vessels anti-air and fire-
fighting systems.
TOWARDS REPLACEMENTS FOR
SCALP & EXOCET AROUND 2030
The concept development team also
examined deployment scenarios in-
volving sharing information over joint
and allied networks. To shorten the
mission planning-to-launch cycle, Per-
seus would have access to all available
air/land/sea tactical situation data.
Though highly automated, mission
planning would leave all critical deci-
sions to system operators.
While based on solid engineering work,
complete with aerodynamic, propul-
sion, warhead and overall performance
simulation studies, the Perseus project
is not intended to lead to a product per se.
Since its presentation in June 2011,
this futuristic concept has aroused
considerable interest. The project has
now been incorporated with Franco-
British exploratory work on the joint
development, under the Lancaster
House agreements, of a new missile
to replace the Exocet and Scalp types
from around 2030. Teams on both
sides of the Channel have expressed
interest in Perseus, particularly its
flexibility and multi-role aspects, capa-
city to deal with fluid and unpredictable
tactical situations and evolutive archi-
tecture ensuring lifetime adaptability to
new threats.
One thing is clear, namely that any
future European missile system must
take export sales into account. While
Missiles of the future
todays cruise missiles are seen as
tools of national sovereignty, the level
of competition is clearly increasing and
may be expected to lead, in future, to a
completely open market in response to
pressure applied by emerging players.
In anti-ship and land-strike missilry, teams working
on future systems point to trends towards multi-
effector multi-role concepts.
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Perseus CVS 401 missile concept
GUNS

Remotely controlled
Medium- and small-calibre remotely-
operated guns enjoy strong market
demand, driven primarily by the
emergence of asymmetric threats.
They give warships the weapons they
need to deal with a variety of situations
from suicide boat attacks to traffickers
and pirates responding with heavy
weapons when intercepted. In littoral
operations, this type of weapon is also
useful against anti-ship missiles fired
by coastal batteries. Despite their
lack of sophistication, swarming but
cheap missiles can overwhelm a ships
combat system.
Navies everywhere seek better
protection for vessels large and small
and the means to respond to such
threats. Remotely-controlled guns
have a role to play and European
manufacturers are responding with
products that are far more effective
than manual guns.
French manufacturer Nexter is also
active in naval guns with its Narwhal
range, having recently signed contracts
with the French Navy and international
customers. The Narwhal 20mm gun
has been selected for Frances FREMM
frigates. Thanks to its lightweight
design, it is also well suited to smaller
patrol vessels. Narwhal features
an autonomous fire control system
linked to a TV/IR camera to offer high
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RAPIDfre gun
guns
accuracy by day or night and even in
bad weather.
Another new arrival is Thaless
RAPIDFire system, unveiled in 2012
and now available in a naval version.
RAPIDFire uses a 3D surveillance
radar and a command & control
module integrated with a stabilised
multi-sensor optronic sighting system
and the CT40 gun from CTAI, an
international subsidiary of Nexter and
BAE Systems. The system is designed
to defeat a variety of air and surface
threats. RAPIDFire can also be used as
a very-short-range air defence system
launching missiles such as the Thales-
designed STARStreak.
Narwhal turret
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TORPEDOES
European torpedo manufacturers, and
more particularly French and German
manufacturers, are among the world
leaders. In France, DCNS is developing
the F21 next-generation heavyweight
torpedo (weight: 1,500kg, diameter:
533mm, length: 6m). Scheduled to arm
French submarines from 2015, the F21
is designed for use in both ocean and
littoral waters.
The new-generation acoustic head
promises improved search efficiency
in all environments, including noisy
shallows. Guidance can be autonomous
or by optical fibre. Endurance will be
outstanding and range will exceed
45km. Like the Black Shark export
version, the F21 owes its endurance
to the AgO-Al thermal battery serving
as its primary power source and the
result of ten years R&D by DCNS.
Silver oxide/aluminium batteries
offer a far higher energy density than
conventional silver-zinc technologies.
The F21 will be able to approach its
target quietly before switching to full
power and full speed for the attack.
The French naval defence industry
is also especially proud of the MU90
lightweight torpedo developed jointly
Torpedoes
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FREMM Aquitaine launching MU90 MU90 torpedo
by DCNS, Thales and Italian partner
WASS, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica.
Over 1,000 MU90s have been sold to
Australia, Denmark, France, Germany,
Italy and Poland. The MU90 (weight:
295kg, diameter: 324mm, length:
2.96m) was the first torpedo to use
the AgO-Al thermal battery also
selected for the F21. It is designed to
be launched by surface combatants or
aircraft at engagement ranges of up to
12km against submarines at any depth
down to 1,000m. Top speed is thought
to exceed 50 knots. The MU90 features
advanced sensors and excellent
resistance to countermeasures.
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MCM with UxVs
The challenge is to keep MCM crews
out of harms way. And this is precisely
the aim of development work currently
in progress. Unmanned vehicles (UxVs)
now almost ready for deployment can
detect, classify, locate and identify
then destroy underwater mines. Widely
acclaimed for their expertise in this
challenging field, French companies
are playing a leading role. Defence
procurement agency DGA launched
the Espadon advanced study project
in 2009 as part of the SLAMF future
MCM programme to develop next-gen-
eration minehunters for the French
Navy. The aim is to assess the feasi-
bility of a concept comprising a mother
vessel, unmanned surface vehicles and
autonomous underwater vehicles. The
minehunter will launch the USVs then
direct them to the search area. Each
USV will deploy a towed-array sonar
and small AUVs.
A DGA study contract awarded to part-
ners DCNS, Thales and ECA set out
to develop a USV dubbed Sterenn Du
(Breton for black star) with a length
of 17m, a width of 7.5m and a displa-
cement of 25t. The Sterenn Du was
launched in late 2010 and has since
completed a number of trials, includ-
ing one with a GDM AUV developed
for the DGA in 2006 under an earlier
programme. The results to date have
been very encouraging, particularly
as regards the LARS AUV launch and
recovery system. This critical com-
ponent, developed and patented by
ECA, comprises an A-frame designed
to deploy and recover a cage accom-
modating the AUV. The A-frame has a
motion compensation system to stabi-
lise the cage in rough seas, both above
and below water, thereby facilitating
AUV launch and recovery.
The USV must be able to work in dif-
ficult weather conditions (up to sea
state 4). For their part, the AUVs, on
returning from a mission, use a sonar
to detect a cable that guides them
into the recovery cage. The algorithms
used to detect the cable were deve-
loped specifically for the task by ECA.
Two types of AUVs will be used a DCL
type for detection, classification and
location and an I type for identification.
Mine countermeasures have entered a period of
radical change with the introduction of new and
totally automated systems
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AUV I on Sterenn Du
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The DCL type will be equipped with a
flank sonar to search vast areas for
potential threats. When a threat is de-
tected, the I type is called in. This more
manoeuvrable submersible is equipped
with a high-resolution sonar and four
cam-eras to record images of any
threats from several angles. Operators
on the minehunter receive the images
and confirm or refute the mines identi-
ty. In Q3 2012, Sterenn Du began trials
with an ECA-designed I-type AUV.
The ultimate aim is to develop a sonar
return-ing images that are accurate
enough to replace the camera images
with the advantage of being unaffected
by murky water.
A new DCL will be trialled in 2013
and 2014. The vehicle is being devel-
oped by ECA and the new-generation
synthetic-aperture sonar and asso-
ciated processing system by Thales.
The vehicle will have an endurance of
30 hours, considerably more than the
GDM vehicles 7 to 8 hours. To achieve
this, Thales and ECA have worked hard
to reduce the power consumption of
both the sonar and the propulsion sys-
tem. They have also designed a more
powerful battery pack. The last step,
mine destruction, will be assigned to a
mine killer USV. This will use remotely
operated robots and a charge designed
to explode on contact with the mine.
After scanning the seafloor, the DCL-
type AUVs return to the surface to
transmit their imagery to the mine-
hunter, either directly or via the Ste-
renn Du, by radio. Acoustic waves are
also used to communicate with the
AUVs but only to receive AUV ope-
rating parameters (position, battery
charge status, mission phase, etc.) and
transmit mid-mission reconfiguration
commands given that their range
is limited to a few kilometres. For the
Radios com GPS
Impervious hull:
- electronic
- battery
Sonar to detect the
recovery cable
Acoustics
Cross rear fns
Arms to catch
the recovery cable
Hoisting rings
SAMDIS SAS Sonar
moment, acoustic wave data
rates are also too low for real-
time sonar or video imagery.
The USV will probably be de-
ployed to a distance of around
20nm from the minehunter,
with the AUVs operating within
a range of about 10nm of the
USV. The minehunter will thus
be well clear of the danger
zone at all times. This also has
its tactical benefits, as it will
facilitate covert MCM ahead
of, say, an expeditionary force
landing. Note, in passing, that
the Sterenn Du features both
a low-signature shape and
camouflage livery.
Frances highly ambitious Es-
padon programme thus aims
to exploit the countrys exper-
tise in underwater robotics,
sonar and IT. This pioneering
work will be used not only to
define the SLAMF future MCM
system, but also, or at least potentially,
to develop a new and particularly inno-
vative European MCM system. Under
the Franco-British Lancaster House
agreements signed in December 2010,
the UK has agreed to work more close-
ly with France in this area. Other EU
countries may join a future programme
later on.
Even if UxV-based MCM systems be-
come fully operational in a few years
time, there will always be a need for
mine clearance divers. They are irre-
placeable, for instance, in shallow
waters or when a mine needs to be
recovered for detailed investigation.
This explains why France has decided
not only to renew its minehunter fleet,
but also to order new base vessels for
mine clearance divers.
DCL-type AUV by ECA
WEIGHT: 1 000 kg
DIMENSION: 5 m
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Sea and Navy
UXVS
UAVs on deck
Transmitting information and imagery
to the ops room over UHF links in
real time, unmanned aerial vehicles
carrying optical sensors greatly extend
a warships day/night reconnaissance
and identification capabilities. Equipped
with a radar and AIS (Automatic
Identification System) receiver, UAVs
extend the ships maritime surveillance
capability. Whether remotely piloted
or autonomous, relatively inexpensive
UAVs excel at boring jobs, leaving
helicopters and their crews to focus
on priority missions like fighting the
enemy or performing rescues.
UAVs can also be deployed to danger
zones without jeopardising a crews
life. Less conspicuous than a helo,
UAVs are useful for tracking targets,
monitoring evolving situations and
gathering intelligence.
Two types of UAV can be used at sea:
catapult launched or rotary wing. The
Thales-designed Fulmar is a small
ramp-launched machine equipped
with a video camera and GPS and AIS
receivers. The ramp can be set up
on deck. On completing its mission,
the UAV ditches into the sea near the
ship and awaits recovery. Rotary-wing
UAVs are more popular largely because
they take up less space. They are also
more flexible and can be operated
directly from a flight deck. In 2012,
the French Navy became the first in
Europe to deploy a rotary-wing UAV
on operational missions. A Schiebel
Camcopter S-100 on board OPV
LAdroit quickly proved its worth in the
observation and intelligence gathering
roles as well as for cross-checking
other sources. Nor did the UAVs
accidental loss off the coast of Africa
erode the Navys confidence in the
technology as it was promptly decided
to purchase a replacement.
As other European defence contractors
like Saab and Indra launch their own
lightweight naval UAVs, work is also
progressing on how to integrate
larger types equipped with automatic
deck landing systems, a complex but
critical component for shipboard UAV
operations. Following four years risk
reduction work by partners DCNS and
Thales under the SDAM programme,
a two-tonne UAV was successfully
landed in full automatic mode on the
deck of a moving frigate in October
2012 (see box and photos). This was
an important European first, even if we
note in passing that few other projects
involve heavy UAVs.
With development now in full swing, UAVs look set
to be part of every warships standard t in just
a few years.
DIMENSIONS (L x rotor): 3.1 x 3.4 m
WEIGHT: 200 kg
PAYLOAD: 50 kg
ENDURANCE: 6 h
SPEED: 55 - 120 kts
DIMENSIONS (L x rotor): 1.23 x 3.1 m
WEIGHT: 20 kg
PAYLOAD: 9 kg
ENDURANCE: 8 h
SPEED: 60 kts
Working under contract to French defence procurement agency DGA, partners
DCNS and Thales have developed the D2AD automatic take-off, landing
and deck landing system for rotary-wing UAVs. D2AD passed an important
milestone when a Boeing-designed H-6U Little Bird (based on an MD 530
helicopter) carrying a flight control beacon was successfully landed on the
flight deck of French frigate Gupratte. For the test, the frigate was equipped
with a swell motion forecasting system and an aircraft guidance module.
With the UAV 2nmfromthe ship, the test systemtook control of the approach
phase. When the swell forecasting system predicted a lull, the UAV touched
down and engaged its harpoon with the frigates landing grid. Approach and
landing were completed without human intervention and without using the
GPS system. The D2AD has the advantage of being light (1kg for the UAVs
flight control beacon) and discreet (i.e. low radiated power).
Automatic landing
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Camcopter S-100
Fulmar
Loitering munitions
In the light of recent military
engagements, a new UAV concept
has emerged to expand the land strike
capabilities of surface combatants by
offering greater range and accuracy
than their main guns. MBDA proposes
the Maritime Fire Shadow based on a
design concept developed for the UKs
Royal Artillery. With a range of around
100 kilometres, the Fire Shadow
unmanned aerial vehicle can operate
in operator-in-the-loop or auto-
nomous mode.
The warhead and lightweight electro-
optical sensor make this expendable
UAV ideal for reconnaissance missions,
direct effect attacks or to loiter in the
air until the time is right to launch
a fast precision attack on a static
or moving target. On detecting a
threat, Fire Shadow drops to a lower
altitude, identifies its target and, if
necessary, knocks it out on receiving
the operators command. Local control
is via a relatively simple system based
on a UHF link offering a video return
capability. This solution is significantly
less expensive than the satellite
guidance systems used by larger UAVs.
MBDA envisages a launch ramp that
can be sling lifted onto a surface
combatant with the Maritime Fire
Shadow system complete with
munitions packaged in containers.
Deployed on a frigate or amphibious
assault vessel, the MFS system could
cover landing operations, provide fire
support without endangering crew
members, or counter raids by small
watercraft.
UXVS

LENTGH: 4 m
WEIGHT: 200 kg
PAYLOAD: nc
ENDURANCE: 6 h
SPEED: 60 - 160 kts
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Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
Although land-based unmanned
aerial vehicles have yet to rival the
capabilities of crewed maritime patrol
aircraft on surveillance missions, many
navies are nevertheless exploring UAV
feasibility in selected roles. Search and
rescue, for instance, require a range of
SAR equipment that is still beyond the
payload capability of existing UAVs. The
search and identification phase of an
SAR mission is typically flown between
1,000 and 2,000ft, an altitude range at
which UAVs designed for high-altitude
patrol offer significantly reduced
endurance. UAVs are, however, seen
as a potentially useful complement to
maritime patrol aircraft in roles ranging
from maritime traffic surveillance to
fisheries policing.
Sagem offers the Patroller M medium-
altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone
system based on the S15 aircraft
developed by Stemme of Germany
and certified by the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA). This modular
one-ton platform is designed to
support a high-speed satellite link and
pod-mounted payloads for missions of
20 to 30 hours at a maximum altitude
of 25,000 ft.
In 2012, Sagem conducted a test
campaign using a Patroller M equipped
for coastal and land surveillance. The
payload included a new version of the
gyrostabilised Euroflir 350 electro-
optical system (including an HDTV
channel, a third-generation HDIR
channel and a laser rangefinder), a
distress beacon receiver and an AIS
(Automatic Identification System)
receiver. AIS is compulsory for all
civilian vessels over 300 gross tonnes.
Exchanging automatic messages
via VHF radio, the system informs
ships and traffic monitoring centres
of the identity, status, cargo, origin,
destination and route of all vessels
in a given zone. Although initially
designed for collision avoidance, AIS
can track maritime traffic in real time
over vast areas. The inclusion of an
AIS receiver in the payload is a huge
benefit for shore-based surveillance
systems since the Patroller M serves
as an offboard sensor platform offering
greatly extended range.
The 18 test flights completed in 2012
demonstrated that the Patroller system
can fuse data from different sensors
and transmit it to a command & control
centre for coastal surveillance. This
new capability complements the
systems proven ability (developed by
Sagem and deployed by the French
armys SDTI Sperwer MkII drones)
to transmit video streams to NATOs
Stanag 4609 standard. These tests
also showed how easy it is to integrate
new payloads with the Patroller mission
system, and the complementarity of
the optronic and electronic sensors
when monitoring changing tactical
situations.
DIMENSIONS (l x ws) (m): 8.5 x 18
WEIGHT: 1.05 t
PAYLOAD: 250 kg
ENDURANCE: > 30 h
SPEED: 50 - 170 kts
CEILING: 25,000 ft
Patroller
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UXVS
The flow of naval aviation history sug-
gests that stealthy unmanned com-
bat aerial vehicles will soon be flying
operational missions. For the moment,
only the US Navy plans experimental
UCAV deployment on an aircraft car-
rier. Northrop Grummans X-47B Pega-
sus flew for the first time in February
2011 and is scheduled to begin car-
rier trials this year. In Europe, the first
UCAV prototypes are approaching test
readiness. Although land-based, they
may later give rise to naval versions.
The Neuron, the first European UCAV
demonstrator, completed its maiden
test flight in France on 1 December
2012. Programme prime contractor
Dassault Aviation is responsible for the
systems general design and architec-
ture, flight control subsystem, stealth,
final assembly and system integration
as well as ground and flight tests. Das-
sault is working with several European
partners, including Alenia Aermacchi
of Italy for the smart integrated wea-
pon bay (SIWB), internal EO/IR sensor,
the bay doors and associated mecha-
nisms, the electrical power and distri-
bution system, and the air data system;
Swedens Saab for the general design
of the main fuselage, the landing gear
DIMENSIONS (l x ws) (m): 9.2 x 12.5
WEIGHT: 7 t
PAYLOAD: 2 x 250 kg bombs
ENDURANCE: nc
SPEED: 980 km/h
CEILING: 14 km
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doors, the avionics and the fuel sys-
tem; Spanish company EADS-Casa for
the wings, ground station and data link
integration; Greeces Hellenic Aeros-
pace Industry for the rear fuselage,
engine tail pipe and racks for the global
integration test rig; and Swiss company
Ruag for low-speed wind tunnel tests
and aircraft/weapon interfaces. Final
assembly, piping and wiring layouts
and equipment installation, including
the engine and the landing gear, are
the responsibility of Dassault Aviations
Istres plant in southern France.
The Neuron demonstrator is the first
combat aircraft ever to be designed
using an integrated multi-site vir-
tual design platform. This and other
programme innovations are helping
Europe to maintain and expand its
know-how in combat aircraft design.
The two-year flight test programme
will address flight qualities, stealth, air-
to-ground weapon firing from an inter-
nal bay and the insertion of unmanned
platforms into controlled airspace.
The Neuron design effort will provide
input for future UCAV programmes, in-
cluding a Franco-British project for fi-
ghting forces announced in July 2012.
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AIRCRAFT
Falcon
A player in maritime surveillance for
some 30 years with Falcon 20s and
50s in service with the French Navy
and the US Coast Guard, Dassault
Aviation recently revamped its offering.
As in the past, the Dassault built on
existing business jet airframes to
propose new maritime surveillance
aircraft, including one with maritime
patrol capabilities. These jets offer
operators strategic depth in that they
can be quickly on station and operate
far from their base, covering 1,500nm
in just two hours. Armed forces and
government agencies can choose
from two types: the Falcon 2000 MRA
twinjet and the Falcon 900 trijet. The
Falcon 2000 MRA is equipped with
a Thales-designed Ocean Master
radar, a retractable FLIR ball and
a dual-console Amascos mission
system along with two observation
stations and search & rescue gear.
This aircraft looks well suited to the
needs of Frances Avsimar (maritime
surveillance and intervention aircraft)
programme to replace the existing
Falcon 20 and 50 fleets from 2015. A
southeast Asian country is said to have
purchased an intelligence-gathering
version of the Falcon 2000.
Dassault also markets the Falcon 900
trijet selected by several countries,
including Japan, for coastguard
maritime surveillance missions.
With the previously clear distinction
between maritime surveillance and
patrol becoming less clear-cut for
many customers, Dassault also
proposes a maritime patrol version of
the Falcon 2000 with anti-ship and
anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
While the Falcon 2000s range and
payload are well short of those of larger
dedicated MPAs like the Atlantique 2,
it can be fitted with underwing
hardpoints for two weapons say an
AM39 missile and an MU90 torpedo
along with a mission system and the
necessary sensors.
DIMENSIONS (l x ws) (m):
20.2 x 21.4
WEIGHT: 18.68 t
ENGINES:
2 x Pratt&Whitney PW308C
SPEED: 500 kts
DIMENSIONS (l x ws) (m):
20.2 x 21.4
WEIGHT: 21.9 t
ENGINES:
3 x Honeywell TFE731-60
SPEED: 500 kts
Falcon 2000 FALCON 900
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Mission
systems
To carry out their surveillance and
patrol missions, MSAs and MPAs are
equipped with tailored mission systems
designed to manage the aircrafts
sensors and process the data received
while at the same time exchanging
coordination and other messages with
all elements of a naval force.
Given the current trend in favour of
the global optimisation of maritime
surveillance and patrol missions, and
even the extension to land surveillance,
a number of compact mission systems
with ample growth margins have
been developed. The leading example
is Amascos by Thales, the current
benchmark carried by many MSAs and
MPAs (CN235, Dash 8, Falcon 900,
ATR 72, Gulfstream, etc.). The
Amascos 100, also known as the
Surmar version, comprises a single
console/computer unit. Amascos 100
analyses radar data to detect and
locate all vessels within range, the
uses imagery from the planes optronic
ball for day/night identification.
An Automatic Identification System
(AIS) receiver supplies additional
information concerning each vessel.
The systems algorithms merges
duplicate tracks and correct or flags
anomalies, leaving the operator to
concentrate on targets of interest.
Other sensors can be added, including
a side-looking airborne radar (SLAR)
for pollution detection and an IR/
UV sensor to pick up oil slicks. Some
aircraft also carry listening and
direction finding equipment to monitor
communications and determine their
origin. In addition to the equipment
carried by maritime surveillance
aircraft, MPAs are equipped with ASW
and ASuW systems and weapons
(missiles and/or torpedoes). Other
systems further extend the MPAs
capabilities.
These include long-range electronic
support measures (ESM) to detect
and identify RF emitters, a magnetic
anomaly detector (MAD) to detect
submarines, sonobuoy deployment and
signal processing equipment to identify
them and a finely tuned radar to detect
periscopes. Given that MPAs are
frequently deployed as part of a coalition
force or carrier group, (L11 and L16)
tactical datalinks are increasingly part
of the standard fit. While MSAs usually
carry just two payload specialists,
MPAs typically carry four or five (radar,
EW, acoustics) including a tactical
coordinator responsible for ensuring
the consistency and complementarity
of the sensor suite and in-coming
data. MPA mission systems like
Thaless Amascos 300 comprise
several multifunction consoles, with
two displays per console, all consoles
and displays being interconnected and
reconfigurable at any time. Operators
use these capabilities to share their
workload according to the mission
phase or to transfer datasets to another
console in the event of a failure.
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Sea and Navy
AIRCRAFT
Rafale
Following deployment in Afghanistan,
the Rafale Europes only truly
omnirole combat aircraft demon-
strated its capabilities during ope-
rations in Libya in 2011. Operating
from land bases and aircraft carrier
Charles de Gaulle, Dassault-designed
Rafales carrying the Thales-designed
Damocles multifunction targeting
pod successfully deployed a range
of weapons including laser-guided
bombs, Sagem AASM modular air-
launched weapon systems and MBDA-
designed Scalp EG cruise missiles.
The campaign was also used to trial
Thaless Spectra electronic warfare
system against enemy radars and
anti-air systems. The aircraft used
Thaless new-generation Reco NG
reconnaissance pod to gather medium-
altitude very-high-resolution and
low-altitude high-speed imagery. The
Reco NG pods strategic intelligence
gathering capability is enhanced by
direct imagery transfer over an L16 link
to the aircrafts base or carrier, with or
without relaying.
Other recent developments concerning
the Rafale include its qualification to
deploy the new-generation Exocet
AM39 Block2 Mod2 anti-ship missile
and the ASMP/A air-to-ground missile,
the airborne arm of Frances nuclear
deterrent force.While India negotiates
the procurement of 126 aircraft the
first export contract for the Rafale
type evolution continues apace. The
next milestone will be the deployment
of Thaless RBE2 active electronically-
scanned array radar. The first Rafale
fitted with this radar was rolled out in
September 2012.
The RBE2 offers extended range,
improved detection of low-observable
targets and waveform agility for high-
resolution synthetic aperture imagery
and increased resistance to jamming
plus full compatibility with the latest-
generation long-range missiles. It will
enable the Rafale to fully exploit new
weapons like the Meteor air superiority
missile as well as existing types like
the Mica EM and IR missiles. MBDAs
Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-
air missile (BVRAAM) is scheduled to
enter service in 2017. It offers a range
of 100km and the largest no-escape
zone of any air-to-air missile system
to date.
Rafale aircraft equipped to standard F3
have been in service with the
French Air Force and Navy since
late 2009. Although primarily
designed for use with CATOBAR-type
(catapult-assisted takeoff/barrier-ar-
rested recovery) carriers, Dassault
studies have shown that the Rafale
Marine is also compatible with
STOBAR (short-takeoff but arrested
recovery) vessels.
WEIGHT: 10 t (empty) to 24.5 t (max)
ENGINES: 2 x Snecma M88
THRUST: 2 x 7.5 t
SPEED: Mach 2
CEILING: 50,000 ft
HARDPOINTS: 14
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RBE2 AESA radar
WEAPONS:
1 x 30 mm
Mica EM/IR missiles
GBU + AASM bombs
Scalp EG missile
Exocet AM39 missile
ASMP-A missile
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AASM
Sagems AASM augmentation
and guidance kits transform air-
launched bombs into air-to-ground
missiles (NATO designation: SBU-
54 Hammer). The range currently
includes kits for standard 250-kg
bombs with additional versions
planned for 125-, 500- and 1,000-kg
bombs. The latest laser-guided, day/
night, all-weather version offers 1m
accuracy at 50km even when fired
at low altitude and extreme off-axis
This MBDA-designed long-range,
air-superiority missile is now on
order for the French armed forces
Rafale omnirole fighters. Ramjet
propulsion gives the 3.65m-long
Meteor a top speed in excess of
Mach 4, a range estimated at 100km
and the largest no-escape zone of
any air-to-air missile system to date.
While Rafale/Meteor integration and
separation tests began in late 2012,
the combination is only scheduled
angles. Qualification was achieved
in December 2012 following a final
firing test in which a Rafale fighter
engaged and destroyed a remotely
controlled all-terrain vehicle as it
changed speed.
The Rafale omnirole fighter can
carry up to six 250-kg bombs with
AASM kits. These can be used to
engage moving targets on land or
sea and were successfully deployed
in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali.
to enter operational service in
2017. Rafales will carry up to four
Meteor missiles along with current-
generation Mica EM and IR missiles
which, despite their shorter range,
remain extremely effective in close
combat and for self-defence. The
Rafale/Meteor combination will
benefit directly from the Rafale
upgrade now in progress including
the Thales-designed RBE2 active
electronically-scanned array radar.
Meteor
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Reco NG pod
The Thales-designed Reco NG
pod gives the Rafale omnirole
fighter a decisive advantage in
aerial reconnaissance. Attached
to the planes belly hardpoint, the
5m-long pod can store or transmit
imagery over a very-high-speed
Ku-band datalink to a land-based
or shipboard station while receiving
coordination messages over a UHF
L22 datalink. The pods optical and
IR sensors are designed for day/
night operation throughout the
aircrafts flight envelope and at any
range. Overall, pod and sensors
offer unprecedented reconnaissance
capabilities. The pod also interfaces
directly with the bases SLPRM
mission planning and reporting
system and the Saim-NG multi-
sensor image interpretation system,
both developed by Thales. The pod
was qualified in October 2009,
entered service on French carrier-
based Rafale M aircraft in 2011
and proved highly effective in the
course of operational deployments
in Afghanistan and Libya.
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Above : close encounter at 10,000 feet for an exceptional photo shot between two
French aircraft off Frances Atlantic coast in December 2012. The Rafale M was close to
its stalling speed, the NH90 close to its top speed.
NH90
Following the qualification, in late
2012, of the NH90 NFH helicopter
equipped to standard 2, the overall
NH90 programme is now ramping
up to full speed. The NFH (Nato
frigate helicopter) version can now
be deployed with its anti-submarine
warfare and weapon systems. The
weapons payload can include two
MU90 torpedoes and anti-ship missiles
Marte Mk2/S for the Italian version
and, soon, the planned FASGW/ANL for
the Franco-British versions.
Eagerly awaited by the forces con-
cerned, the newly qualified NH90 NFH
is expected to perform far better than
existing ASW helos. Bigger, with greater
endurance and higher performance
systems (360 surveillance radar,
electro-optical observation unit, etc.),
the NH90 NFH is expected to prove
a formidable submarine hunter. ASW
systems include the Flash dipping
sonar, sonobuoys, and the associated
processing system. The NH90 NFHs
greatest strength is its versatility. A
range of kits enable the machine to be
quickly reconfigured from, say, a com-
bat role to an operational transport,
logistic support or sea SAR role.
Designed specifically for frigate-based
operations, the NH90 NFH features a
reinforced undercarriage, a harpoon
to engage deck landing grids, plus
automatic rotor blade and tail boom
folding for quick and convenient hangar
stowage. Of the 529 orders for NH90
helicopters that the NH Industries
consortium (comprising Eurocopter,
AugustaWestland and Fokker) has
received from 15 countries, over
100 are for the NH90 NFH version.
The countries concerned include
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the
Netherlands and Portugal. Deliveries
began in 2010. Now that the NH90 NFH
is fully operational, other countries
may join the list.
WEIGHT: 10.6 t (max)
ENGINES:
2 x RTM 322
SPEED: 175 kts
CREW: 3 (+ 21)
WEAPONS:
2 x MU90 or Marte Mk2/S
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AIRCRAFT

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AIRCRAFT
EC725
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WEIGHT: 11,2 t (max)
ENGINES: 2 x Makila 2A
SPEED: 175 kts
CREW: 3 (+ 28)
WEAPONS: Machine gun - Anti-ship missiles
The EC725 is the latest addition to
Eurocopters Cougar family. The design
is optimised for the troop transport
role along with special ops and CSAR
(combat search & rescue) missions.
Secondary roles include equipment
transport and civilian rescue in conflict
zones, following natural disasters or
in areas inaccessible by road. State-
of-the-art avionics and multi-function
screens enable the EC725 to operate
by day or night making the type
particularly well suited to maritime
counter-terrorism operations thanks
to its payload capability and electronic
systems, including an electro-optical
sensor. Options include a hover in flight
refuelling (HIFR) system to increase
range, two 7.62mm machine guns and
rocket launchers.
The French Army uses EC725s,
deploying them regularly on the
Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier
and Mistral-class force projection
vessels. In 2011, the Brazilian Navy
commissioned the first of 16 EC725s
on order. The French Navys air wing
deploys two EC225s in the transport
and sea SAR roles. The EC225, the civil
version of the EC725, enjoys wide use
in the offshore oil industry.
The AS565 Panther, the military
version of the AS365 Dauphin, is
one of a range of military helicopters
marketed by Eurocopter. This medium-
size machine is designed for a variety
of missions from sea SAR and
maritime surveillance to counter-piracy
and counter-trafficking operations. The
Panther can be equipped with a pintle-
mounted 7.62 or 12.7mm machine
gun. Some configurations can be
armed with a missile or torpedoes for
anti-submarine or anti-ship missions.
The French Navy has decided to
modernise the 16 Panthers inducted
between 1994 and 1998. By 2014, all
will be equipped with a Euroflir electro-
optical ball, revamped avionics, an
improved tactical system and a self-
protection system. They will also be
compatible with the planned FASGW/
ANL missile.
In 2011, the French Navy took delivery
of two of the new AS365 N3+, the
latest addition to the Dauphin family,
featuring state-of-the-art avionics,
improved engines and a new-
generation digital autopilot.
With a top speed of 150kts and a range
of 500nm, the AS365 N3+ is powered
by two new Turbomeca Ariel 2C
engines rated at 717kW each including
a full authority digital engine control
(FADEC) system.
Panther
WEIGHT: 4,3 t (max)
ENGINES:
2 x Ariel 1C
SPEED: 180 kts
CREW: 3 (+ 5)
WEAPONS:
anti-ship missiles, torpedoes
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PUB

Sea and Navy
Sea and Navy
ARONAUTIQUE
It is equipped with two turboshaft
engines powering a five-blade main
rotor and two propellers on short-
span fixed wings. Eurocopter took less
than three years to develop this hybrid
configuration from design concept to
first flight in September 2010. Since
then, the test programme has explored
the aircrafts flight envelope. The Step 1
target a true airspeed of 180kts
(333km/h) in level flight was attained
in just a few weeks. Test flights
resumed in March 2011 following
the installation of the final-design
transmissions suitable for testing at full
power. The X3 duly went on to exceed
the Step 2 target a sustained cruising
speed of 220kts (407km/h). In May
2011, the demonstrator topped 232kts
(430km/h) in level flight with engine
power at 80%.
Eurocopter reports that all tests to
date have confirmed the demon-
strators stability and handling as
well as impressive acceleration and
deceleration, unprecedented climb and
descent rates and low vibration levels,
obviating the need to activate the
active or passive vibration reduction
systems. The European helicopter
manufacturer has clearly succeeded
in demonstrating its capacity for
innovation while opening the door to
new markets. With a cruising speed
50% higher than that of conventional
helicopters, the X3 looks set to attract
solid sales. Eurocopter envisions a
wide range of applications including
long-distance search & rescue (SAR),
coast guard patrols and passenger
transfers to and from offshore
platforms. It will also be well-suited to
military missions including special ops,
troop transportation, combat SAR and
medical evacuation.
X3
Part plane, part helicopter, the X3 is designed as a
high-speed passenger or troop transport.
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meretmarine_idex-imdex2012_annonceur.indd 1 29/01/13 16:45

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MARITIME SAFETY & SECURITY

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