FREMM Normandie Ends Trials off Toulon

The FREMM Normandie multi-mission frigate, second of the series ordered by OCCAR on behalf of the French DGA (General Directorate for Armament) and the French Navy, has just completed five weeks of intense activities off the Toulon coast.

These trials have allowed the validation of the frigate’s combat system performance before its delivery to the French Navy at the end of 2014.

The series of trials for the FREMM Normandie, which has just been completed in the Mediterranean, was principally dedicated to the verification of the vessel’s combat system. To perform these, the frigate was integrated into numerous scenarios, allowing progress in the setting up of its capacities in all areas of warfare.

“In total, we performed around fifty trials on the FREMM Normandie, thanks to the active involvement of all the DCNS, French Navy, DGA and OCCAR teams. 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,” indicates Anne Bianchi, Director of the FREMM program.

The presence of the frigate in Toulon also allowed the completion of certain trial relating to the vessel’s platform with, as the high point, the first deck landing of the Caïman NH90 helicopter.

After a final test performed with the support of the FREMM Aquitaine on Tuesday 24 June, and allowing the verification of the interoperability between the 2 frigates, the Normandie frigate has now sailed to the DCNS site in Lorient. Final finishing work will be carried out on the vessel over the summer before its delivery to the French Navy, expected over the course of the last quarter of 2014.

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Press Release, July 01, 2014; Image: DCNS