France’s Normandie frigate in first sea trials
The French Navy’s newest anti-submarine warfare (ASW) FREMM frigate, Normandie, has successfully conducted its first sea trials off the coast of Lorient.
The trials were conducted by an industrial team including Naval Group, the OCCAR FREMM Programme Division, the French Navy crew and the French Procurement Agency to evaluate the vessel’s propulsion and navigation performance.
Further tests and trials of various systems, including the combat management system, will continue in the coming weeks. The frigate is scheduled to be delivered in summer of 2019.
The ASW FREMM frigates are equipped with advanced weapon systems including Heracles multifunction radars, MdCN naval cruise missiles, Aster and Exocet MM40 missiles and MU 90 torpedoes.
To date, five FREMM frigates have been delivered to the French Navy and three ships, including Normandie, are at various stages of assembly and construction at Naval Group Lorient's shipyard. The last two French FREMM Frigates, Alsace and Lorraine, will be delivered in 2021 and 2022, with reinforced air defence capabilities.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy goes shopping for maritime uncrewed capabilities]()
US Navy goes shopping for maritime uncrewed capabilities
The US Navy has been seeking suppliers to design and build diverse types of aerial, surface and underwater autonomous capabilities, as well as solutions to support their operation.
-
![US Navy command to invest $3.5 billion in service craft and boats]()
US Navy command to invest $3.5 billion in service craft and boats
The NAVSEA plans to acquire around 2,800 service craft and boats from FY2026 using a multi-year award contract strategy.
-
![Half of Australia’s first Hunter frigate is now in fabrication]()
Half of Australia’s first Hunter frigate is now in fabrication
BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s Andy Coxall gave Shephard a progress update on its HMAS Hunter frigate, while addressing concerns over the cost difference between Australia’s programme and Norway’s.
-
![RH Marine and Naval Group partnership moves Dutch submarine programme forward]()
RH Marine and Naval Group partnership moves Dutch submarine programme forward
The addition of Dutch company RH Marine to the programme aligns with the country’s aim of enhancing its sovereign submarine strategy.
-
![US Coast Guard announces $350 million investment in robotics and autonomous systems]()
US Coast Guard announces $350 million investment in robotics and autonomous systems
The USCG will use part of this funding to acquire SkyDio X10D short-range uncrewed aircraft systems, VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles and Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility and mini-SPUR robots.
