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2017-06-08

FREMM,The Future of Naval Frigates

The FREMM (European multi-purpose frigate; in French: FRégate Européenne Multi-Mission; in Italian: FRegata Europea Multi-Missione) is a class of multi-purpose frigates designed by DCNS/Armaris and Fincantieri for the French and Italian navies..

FREMM launched in 2005, when it was described as one of the most ambitious, innovative European naval defence projects.

The project is overseen by the European joint armaments cooperation organisation, OCCAR. The objective of the programme is to replace existing navy frigates with new 6,000-tonne vessels, equipped with cutting-edge warfare systems. These multi-role frigates are setting new standards for both design and build costs.

The FREMM programme includes three variants of frigate: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASM/ASW), Anti-Air Warfare (FREDA) and General Purpose (GP) versions. The first FREMM was delivered in 2012 with the aim of completing delivery by 2022.

The Italian FREMM programme

While FREMM is a co-operative scheme between France and Italy, both countries have different operational requirements.

In Italy, the FREMM programme is coordinated by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, (Fincantieri and Finmeccanica, now known as Leonardo), replacing the Lupo and Maestrale class units by 2022. The frigates for the Italian Navy are built at Fincantieri’s integrated naval shipyard at Riva Trigoso-Muggiano.

The ships have a full load displacement of about 6,500 tons, an overall length of about 144 metres and a top speed exceeding 27 knots. For all units produced in Italy, Leonardo is responsible for the supply and integration of the entire ship combat system, comprising the CMS (Combat Management System), radar and electro-optical sensors for firing control and tracking functions, systems for communication and air, and all surface and underwater defence systems.

The Italian FREMM programme will involve GP (General Purpose) and ASW (Anti Submarine) versions of the frigate. In the design phase, particular attention was paid to the functional and physical integration of the platform and combat system components achieving high-performing automated operations, together with a reduced requirement for onboard personnel.

This allows for better living standards, with crew accommodation in cabins.

The ship has autonomy of 6,000 nautical miles and can carry out operations at long range for up to 45 consecutive days.

The flight deck guarantees capabilities and flexibility to support flight operations with bigger helicopters such as the EH-101, in any sea conditions. The hangar can hold both SH-90 and EH-101 helicopters.

Combat Systems

The General Purpose version of the frigate features a stern slipway for launching and recovering a Special Forces’ Rigid Inflatable Boat. The Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) function of the combat system, exploited by SAAM-ESD which integrates EMPAR multifunction radar and ILDS (Inner Layer Defence System), is capable of reacting to saturating missile attacks by using ASTER missiles and a super-rapid 76/62 gun equipped with both conventional and guided ammunitions.

The ASW function is exploited by a sonar suite consisting of mine avoidance, bow mounted, hull mounted and towed array sonar in order to increase detection capability against torpedo attack.

ASW weapons consist of MU90 torpedoes, MILAS (missile carried torpedo) and ASW decoy launchers.

The GP version is equipped with an extended range 127 mm gun which, in ship-to-shore action, can use the new self-guided Vulcano ammunition. The combat system is completed by a Teseo anti-ship missile system with eight launchers, electronic warfare, associated active and passive countermeasures, and by communication and tactical data link systems.

All Italian FREMM frigates are equipped with Kronos Grand Naval multi-function active radar, based on advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. The radar system includes extended self-defence, air and surface surveillance and simultaneous multiple targets tracking, volumetric search and multiple missiles guidance.

FREMM’s anti air missile system includes IFF SIR-M5-PA secondary radar, RAN-30X/I air and surface surveillance, LPISPN-730 navigation radar and SPN-720 for helicopter precision approach. A SASS (Silent Acquisition and Surveillance system) and infrared tracking system further underpin the firgate’s capabilities, and it is also equipped with two multi-sensors (radar and electro-optical) for NA-25X fire control. Leonardo has also realised the integrated internal, external and tactical communication systems for the FREMM frigates.

Leonardo provides two 76/62 mm super rapid defence systems that use DART guided ammunition for tracking targets, mine avoidance sonar, acoustic countermeasures against attacks by torpedoes, and an MU90 lightweight torpedo launching system.

MBDA

MBDA is at the heart of the mission capability for both the French and Italian FREMM frigates. For the French FREMM MBDA will supply its Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship weapon, an Aster 15 missile-based air defence system as well as SCALP NAVAL, the vertically launched, land attack cruise missile system. The Italian FREMM will be equipped with MBDA’s TESEO MK2/A anti-ship system, based on the Teseo missile and MILAS anti-submarine weapon systems as well as the SAAM air defence system based on Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles.

FREMM’s wide-ranging weapons capability will make this next generation frigate a formidable and truly multi-mission platform. For instance, SCALP NAVAL, with its ability to strike at a wide range of high value, sensitive targets deep within theatre, will add a political dimension to FREMM’s overall capability.

France’s FREMM programme

Representing a key element in a naval force, FREMM can counter all current and future air and naval threats thanks to her exceptional platform characteristics, and the powerful SETIS combat system.

FREMM by DCNS directly inherits her capabilities from the world-renowned La Fayette class stealth frigates, with long experience in Combat Management Systems (CMS) including the development of the combat-proven Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier CMS, and DCNS’ SSBN experience in acoustic signatures reduction.

FREMM offers superior combat capabilities in all warfare domains through a combination of platform-related assets. It has exceptional stealth qualities with covered decks, masked openings and optimised hull shape for reduced radar cross section.

The frigate’s hybrid propulsion system allows for increased flexibility in operations: electric motors for silent approaches and reduced acoustic signatures, and gas turbines for high-speed navigation and fast acceleration.

Its large passageways, side doors and technical galleries provide optimal flow management and easy maintenance, while thanks to an optimised preventive maintenance cycle, FREMM frigates bring maximum operational efficiency.

Thales is onboard

Thales systems comprise a significant portion of the operational value of these frigates. Onboard the first FREMM Frigate ‘Aquitaine’, this includes a bow and towed array sonar suite, ‘Herakles’ multifunction radar, an Artemis infrared search and track system, and electronic warfare and communications systems.

The frigate’s multi-mission capabilities allow it to act alone as a powerful deterrent asset or to draw on its state-of-the-art Thales communications systems to pursue action as part of an inter-allied force. The vessel also has unrivalled stealth capacity, a crucial advantage for enhancing the success and safety of missions.

Sonar Suite

Thales equips the FREMM frigates with a sonar suite, include very long anti-submarine detection ranges and efficient simultaneous torpedo defence capabilities – taking on minimum risk with maximum reliability. The suite combines the UMS 4110 CL bow mounted sonar with the CAPTAS 4 VDS (Variable Depth Sonar), a towed array system from the Thales CAPTAS family.

The unique CAPTAS 4 (Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonar) system is a technological breakthrough drawing on low frequency passive and active arrays, with an exceptional reach on silent targets. CAPTAS 4 is equipped with a rapid, automated system for deploying towed elements in the water. Its long-range detection will allow FREMM to regain tactical advantage over submarines.

CAPTAS 4’s design makes it highly effective, even in shallow waters, where the vertical directivity and wide bandwidth of the transmit array and the horizontal directivity of the receive array can significantly reduce reverberation effects.

Thales is a leader in very low frequency variable depth sonars. CAPTAS is the only low frequency, variable-depth sonar in service with NATO and leading navies.

The UMS 4110 CL is a long-range sonar for offensive ASW and self-protection. This bow mounted sonar is designed for multi-mode operation and can simultaneously operate two active channels - ASW transmission modes - as well as passive channels for listening only or for the tracking of torpedoes. It can also carry out obstacle avoidance.

A conventional cylindrical array lies at the heart of the UMS 4110 CL system, operating at about 5 kHz, to exploit the range advantage of a rather low frequency.

The system draws on the very latest underwater acoustic and sonar architecture technologies, giving FREMM cutting-edge capabilities for detection in all types of environments and in the face of increasingly diverse threats.

Herakles

FREMM is equipped with the latest multifunction radar, Herakles. This radar performs simultaneous long-range air and surface surveillance, for wide-area protection of consort ships, and contributes to the deployment of air defence and anti-surface weapons.

Operating in S-band, it provides effective naval capability with optimum acquisition and life cycle cost. It performs detection, acquisition and tracking of all target profiles including stealth missiles, and ARM (Anti-Radiation Missiles), even in dense ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) and clutter environments.

Herakles consists of a two-axis electronically-scanned antenna. This antenna has a 60rpm rotation speed associated with back scanning performance for accurate tracking of the most highly manoeuvring targets. Herakles has an exceptionally high operational availability – with an all solid-state technology and redundant architecture – and it performs excellently in brown and blue water operations.

Herakles has already been selected by major navies as a sole radar. Its exceptional reliability and high operational availability are crucial to this role. Certified for Aster 15 and 30 missiles, it is optimised for littoral operations in times of crisis or war.

Artemis

Thales is supplying the state-of-the-art Artemis (Advanced Reliable Third generation Electro-optical Multiplexing Infrared Search and track) passive panoramic surveillance system onboard the FREMM frigate. Artemis improves situational awareness and overall ship self-defence, by detecting and tracking the infrared signatures of low elevation air and surface threats.

This infrared search and track system has a high-resolution visualisation function, that plays a valuable role in close-range surveillance, ship identification, coastal imaging, night navigation, consort ship protection, and search and rescue operations.

This system makes a significant contribution to FREMM survivability and draws on MWIR (Mid-Wave InfraRed) cameras to detect small air targets at extended ranges, while retaining an impressive surface detection capability.

Electronic Warfare

Thales-Elettronica joint venture Sigen is supplying FREMM with the latest generation electronic warfare. Thales is equipping the Electronic Support Measures (ESM) that allow the frigate to anticipate threats before they can be detected, as well as to optimise situation awareness and gather intelligence.

This groundbreaking system incorporates key operational features such as very high sensitivity, very high accuracy direction finding and broadband digital receivers. These sensors include radar ESM and communications ESM, providing early detection and immediate threat warning. They also contribute to tactical situation awareness by identifying emitters, reporting new activity and generating signals intelligence in real time.

Sigen, via Elettronica, is also supplying a jamming and decoying system. The Radar Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) system is a soft kill solution to defeat hostile emitters. This active system contributes to point and wide area defence, and can decoy and attract incoming missiles away from their targets.

Communication Systems

Communication systems are based on open architecture, allowing for ongoing integration of equipment furnished by Thales and partners, as well as commercial off-the-shelf solutions, or COTS.

This system is centred on a secure local IP (Internet Protocol) network that covers external communications from VLF (Very Low Frequency) to civil and military SATCOM. The internal communications systems supplied by Thales enables more than 160 users - via voice and computer terminals - to access the network simultaneously onboard this vessel, designed for a crew of 108.

The FREMM latest generation voice-over-IP application, developed by Thales, allows more than 60 users access to the entire range of telephony services. Crew and personnel can make use of these services via audio terminals with touch screen displays, each managing up to 12 separate communication applications at one time.

SETIS: sea-proven combat systems

The delivery of the FREMM Provence marks the ramping up of SETIS, the latest-generation combat system developed by DCNS.

The successful firing of a naval cruise missile on May 19, 2015 from the FREMM Aquitaine demonstrated the anti-land warfare capabilities directed at targets located deep in enemy territory.

Added to the anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare capabilities, the FREMM has now reached its full technological capabilities.

“DCNS has successfully accomplished this essential step for the FREMM SETIS combat system. We are proud to have contributed to the successful firing of a cruise missile from a surface ship, a first in Europe. This result is a demonstration of DCNS expertise in the area of the design and integration of combat systems,” said a spokesman.

There are four FREMM at different stages of construction at DCNS’ Lorient Shipyard

For DCNS, the FREMM programme currently involves construction of 11 frigates, eight for the French Navy. Six will be delivered by 2019, and the remaining two, equipped with extended anti-aircraft capabilities, will be delivered before 2022.

Two other have been sold for export clients: the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy. Greece, Canada and Australia are other potential buyers.

FREMMs – the future

The FREMM multi-mission frigate is one of the most technologically advanced and competitive ships on the market.

The frigate can counter all types of threats, whether air, surface, submarine or land-based.

The heavily armed FREMM is equipped with the most effective weapons systems and equipment. It is innovative, and offers unequalled levels of interoperability and availability.

FREMM is fully interoperable within all coalitions and can also accommodate a joint command head quarter. FREMM combat system fully integrates NATO and national Tactical Data Links (TDL), allowing high-scale networked operations and maximum interoperability with other ships and shore-based command centres.

Reference Text/Photo:www.leonardocompany.com, www.mbda-systems.com, www.dcnsgroup.com, www.fincantieri.com

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