DCNS has commenced sea trials of the latest French Frégate européenne multi-mission (FREMM) frigate constructed for the French Navy, FREMM Languedoc, off the coast of Brittany, France.
The sea trial is aimed to test the performance of the vessel’s propulsion and navigation system.
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DCNS FREMM Programme director Anne Bianchi said: "The acceleration of the trial scheduling for the FREMM Languedoc is a demonstration of DCNS capacity to ensure efficient serial production."
FREMM Languedoc will undergo a six-week sea trial instead of the eight-week test of the previous FREMMs.
FREMM Languedoc is the third frigate of the series of vessels ordered by the organisation conjointe de coopération en matière d’armement (OCCAR) on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and the navy.
The FREMM European multimission frigate is a joint programme between France and Italy to build 21 FREMM frigates for the French and Italian navies.
In November 2005, OCCAR awarded the first FREMM development and build contracts to companies, including DCNS, Thales, Fincantieri and Finmeccanica.
The 142m-long and 20m-wide vessels feature high-tech sensors and weapons, integrated with the SETIS combat and weapons systems.
In addition, the warships are equipped the Herakles multifunction radar, the Aster and Exocet MM 40 missiles, or the MU 90 torpedoes.
DCNS is expected to deliver six FREMMs, including three under construction, to the French Navy before mid-2019.
The French frigates are being built in two mission versions, the land attack version and an anti-submarine warfare ASW version.
In September, DCNS floated another FREMM frigate of the French Navy, FREMM Auvergne.
Image: The sea trial of FREMM Languedoc is aimed to test the propulsion and navigation system. Photo: © DCNS.
