The French Navy’s Frégate Européen multi-mission (FREMM)-class frigate, Normandie, has successfully completed 50 combat-system trials off the Toulon coast, validating its performance prior to its delivery to the navy later this year.
Carried out in collaboration between DCNS, the French Navy, General Directorate for Armament (DGA) and OCCAR, the five-week trials involved integration of the vessel into several scenarios and all areas of warfare, including anti-aircraft and anti-submarine operations, among others.
FREMM programme Director Anne Bianchi said: "These trials contribute to the proper integration of the frigate’s different sensors and weapons into the latest-generation SETIS combat management system developed by DCNS."
In addition, the vessel also completed its platform trial and the first deck landing of the Caiman NH90 helicopter.
With the support of the FREMM Aquitaine, a final test was performed to validate the interoperability between two frigates.
Normandie successfully completed two initial testing phases in November 2012 and January 2013, in addition to the first of three sea trials in March.
DCNS has received a contract to build a total of 12 FREMM ships, including 11 for the French Navy and one for the Royal Moroccan Navy.
With a displacement capacity of 6,000t, the 142m-long Normandie frigate can cruise at 27k and has a range of 15k, while accommodating a crew of 145 with a complement crew of 108.
Image: The French Navy’s FREMM-class Normandie frigate at sea. Photo: courtesy of DCNS.
