Chess Dynamics to supply fire control systems for new Belgian and Dutch minehunters
Chess Dynamics has been awarded by French shipbuilder Kership for the supply of electro-optical surveillance systems that will equip the class of 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV) being developed for the Belgian and Royal Netherlands navies.
The 2,800t MCMVs (pictured) will be fully integrated with a range of unmanned airborne, surface and subsurface mine countermeasure systems, with the programme achieving its Systems Functional Review milestone in May this year.
The Sea Eagle system provided all-weather, 24-hour surveillance, tracking and target data solutions and will be interfaced with the ships’ combat management and gun fire control systems.
Dave Eldridge, Chess Dynamics sales director commented: ‘These systems will be delivered from our Naval Centre of Excellence in Plymouth. Significant investment has been made to retain and recruit the necessary expertise to develop and evolve our Sea Eagle family of systems, incorporating industry-leading technology and designs.’
The contract will see two systems provided for each of the 12 MCMVs, with Belgium and the Netherlands becoming the fourth and fifth European naval customers operating the Sea Eagle capability. More than 90 units have been delivered to navies worldwide.
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