How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
Thales systems tested on Mexican vessel
Thales equipment has been put through its paces during Sea Acceptance Trials of the Mexican Navy’s first Pola class vessel.
The trials were carried out in November and December 2019 off the Mexican west coast.
During the trials ARM Reformador faced various surface and air threats, with the vessel’s Thales SMART-S Mk2 radar demonstrating its capabilities in a series of scenarios including sea skimming and supersonic flight.
Following the successful trials, the project’s next milestone is the commissioning of the ship into active service with the Mexican Navy, which is expected in February 2020.
Thales equipment on board ARM Reformador includes the Tacticos combat management system, the SMART-S Mk2 Air and Surface Surveillance Radar, the STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 radar and EO tracking system, the Gatekeeper EO ship security system, and the CAPTAS-2 passive variable depth sonar.
Furthermore the C-Guard Decoy launcher and RIGEL Radar-Electronic Support Measures and Radar-Electronic Counter Measures systems have been supplied and integrated into Tacticos.
Thales also delivered and integrated a full armament suite including RAM surface to air missile launcher, Harpoon surface to surface missile launcher, 57mm gun, 12.7mm machine guns, and Mk38 25mm machine gun with dedicated console.
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