French defense and technology companies Thales, CNN MCO (a subsidiary of Equans France), and CS Group (a subsidiary of Sopra Steria) have formed a strategic partnership to modernize three amphibious helicopter carriers (Mistral Class/PHAs) belonging to the French Navy.
This cooperation is being carried out under the Operational Maintenance (MCO) program, managed by the Fleet Support Service (Service du soutien de la flotte / SSF). The partnership aims to equip the Mistral-Class ships with a new inertial navigation system that is highly resistant to electronic warfare environments.
GPS Independence in Electronic Warfare
The new system will strengthen the ships’ autonomous navigation capability, particularly against GPS jamming and spoofing threats encountered in electronic combat conditions.
The roles of the companies in the system integration are as follows:
• Thales: Will provide the TopAxyz inertial gyro-center units, which calculate position, speed, and heading information using the ship’s internal data (accelerometers and gyroscopes) without relying on external signals such as GPS.
• CS Group: Will integrate Thales’ navigation units into the ship’s global navigation system and create a resilient, cyber-secure infrastructure for data distribution.
• CNN MCO: As the main contractor that received the eight-year MCO contract in 2022, will manage the integration, installation, test supervision, and maintenance of the equipment.
Phased Installation and Emphasis on National Technology
The installation of the systems will be completed gradually by 2027, in parallel with the maintenance schedules determined by the SSF.
The first ship to benefit from the modernization process was Mistral. It will be followed by Dixmude and Tonnerre respectively. The first successful installation of the system on Mistral was carried out during scheduled maintenance (or repair) at the Toulon Naval Base.
Executives of the joint initiative stated that the project is being carried out with 100% French technology, thereby preserving the strategic independence of the country’s naval forces and ensuring their full operational capability at sea.
SOURCE: C4Defence / Thales Group
