DCNS to unveil new FREMM Frigate variant, updated BRAVE supply ship design at Euronaval 2012

At the 23rd EURONAVAL show to be held from 22 to 26 October 2012 at the Paris-le Bourget exhibition center, DCNS will unveil several new designs of submarines and surface vessels. Among them are the new FREMM-ER (for Extend Range) Frigate dedicated to Air Defense missions and an updated design for the BRAVE replenishment ship which was first unveiled two years ago at Euronaval 2010.

                         

The FREMM-ER was designed with a focus on Air Defense and possibly Anti Ballistic Missile Defense. The hull and general platform of the vessel is almost identical to the French Navy's and DCNS' FREMM class. However the two masts (Herakles radar and electronic warfare) found on the current FREMM (such as the Aquitaine frigate) is replaced by a new radar by Thales called SF 500 (or Sea Fire 500). The new Thales radar seems to be similar in concept to the Lockheed Martin's AEGIS - AN/SPY-1D multi-function phased-array radar system with its four fixed arrays noticeable on all 4 sides of the main mast.

Contacted by Navy Recognition DCNS and Thales representatives would not give details on the new radar system, explaining details would be made public during Euronaval. Regarding the vessel itself however, DCNS told us that a FREMM-ER would be able to fulfill the exact same missions as the current FREMM. Indeed, FREMM-ER has the same multi-mission capabilities as FREMM, in particular extensions capability can be installed on FREMM-ER such as:

FREMM-ER's CIC (Combat Information Center) shares the same characteristics as the CIC found on FREMM:

- Large workstations

- Multipurpose Consoles

- Modular configuration

The SETIS modular CMS (Combat Management System) developed by DCNS and the CIC area can implement new and future innovations as they become mature. In FREMM-ER, sailors for example will be able to use augmented reality in the fight against asymmetric threats.

                         

At the 23rd EURONAVAL show to be held from 22 to 26 October 2012 at the Paris-le Bourget exhibition center, DCNS will unveil several new designs of submarines and surface vessels. Among them are the new FREMM-ER (for Extend Range) Frigate dedicated to Air Defense missions and an updated design for the BRAVE replenishment ship which was first unveiled two years ago at Euronaval 2010.

The new BRAVE replenishment tanker and support vessel. Note the new inverted bow design.

                         

DCNS presented during Euronaval 2010 its new-generation underway replenishment tanker and support vessel named BRAVE (Bâtiment RAVitailleur d'Escadre).

At Euronaval 2012, DCNS will be showing an updated design for the BRAVE class. As you can see in the images above and below, most of the redisgn work has been focused on the bow and stern of the ship. The bow is now inverted for better sea-keapping and there is now only one helicopter spot while the previous design had space for two helicopter spots. The sole spot is still able to accomodate heavy helicopters however (35 t). There is still space for two helicopters in the hangar.

Developped in association with STX-France (based on the same principles that made the BPC Mistral class a success), the design should answer French Navy needs to replace the Durance class. BRAVE will also be available to international customers.

                         

At the 23rd EURONAVAL show to be held from 22 to 26 October 2012 at the Paris-le Bourget exhibition center, DCNS will unveil several new designs of submarines and surface vessels. Among them are the new FREMM-ER (for Extend Range) Frigate dedicated to Air Defense missions and an updated design for the BRAVE replenishment ship which was first unveiled two years ago at Euronaval 2010.

Artist impression of a BRAVE vessel underway replenishing a FREMM frigate and an Aircraft Carrier

The BRAVE main missions include:

» Refuel and support all types of vessels at sea (Aircraft carriers, large & small surface vessels, submarines);

» Support force projection operations;

» Command and control of maritime operations;

» Support humanitarian operations.

The vessel's defense system is designed to be modular and can be adatped to customer requirements.

For more details on the FREMM-ER, Thales Sea Fire 500 radar, the new BRAVE design and other new developments by DCNS, make sure to check Navy Recognition's Euronaval 2012 online coverage from 22 to 26 October 2012.