iXblue navigation systems for Spanish Navy’s F-110 frigates

The Spanish Navy and Spain Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) have selected iXblue’s Marins Series inertial navigation systems (INS) and Netans navigation data distribution & computation systems to provide critical navigation capabilities to the five new F-110 class multi-mission frigates. 

The contract has been signed by Grafinta, S.A., iXblue’s official distributor.​​​​​

iXblue Marins inertial navigation systems, based on the fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology, combined with the Netans data distribution & processing units, will provide the F-110 frigates with highly accurate navigation information, regardless of the environment, including within GNSS denied areas, the company said.

“The F-110 frigates are going to be equipped with the most advanced technologies available to naval platforms today and will need to be able to face the threats posed by the spoofing and jamming of GNSS signals. Our INS and data distribution units will help do just that,” Carlos Lopes, Regional Sales Manager at iXblue, commented.

The frigate quintet is being built by Navantia for the Spanish Navy under a EUR 4.3 billion contract awarded in 2019.

The first frigate is expected to be handed over in 2026 while the remaining four will be delivered up until 2031.

Each ship will measure 145 meters in length and displace 6,100 tons. They will be equipped with a 5-inch main gun, Harpoon missiles, torpedo launchers, two 30mm guns and a 16-cell vertical launch system (VLS).

The multi-mission frigates and their anti-submarine warfare capabilities will be used for missions such as fleet protection and maritime security and will be deployed to counter conventional and asymmetric threats.

In November 2020, Norwegian technology company Kongsberg Maritime was also selected to supply propeller systems for the five frigates.