The partnership is part of the French Navy’s programme to maintain its vessels in operational condition. Credit: © Thales.
CNN MCO, a subsidiary of Equans France, has partnered with Thales and CS Group, part of Sopra Steria, to deliver a new inertial navigation system for the French Navy’s amphibious helicopter carriers.
The Fleet Support Service (SSF) of the French Navy is overseeing the upgrade of navigation systems on the PHA-type ships. It has assigned CNN MCO, which holds the fleet support contract, to carry out the work.
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The project forms part of a broader maintenance in operational condition (MCO) programme for French Navy vessels.
CNN MCO’s eight-year contract, awarded in 2022, covers all onboard systems for the three PHA vessels, Mistral, Tonnerre, and Dixmude. The contract also covers in-service support for the Somme BCR-type command and replenishment ship.
The partnership brings together a consortium comprised solely of French companies focused on naval system performance.
The TopAxyz inertial navigation system developed by Thales uses only internally gathered data from onboard sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes. This allows it to determine position, speed and heading independently of external signals such as GPS.
CS Group contributes its experience in integrating navigation systems into complex naval environments. Thales’s inertial units are incorporated into CS Group’s wider navigation framework.
The installation works align with scheduled vessel maintenance up until 2027.
The deployment of the navigation system began with its installation aboard the Mistral during routine technical maintenance at Toulon naval base.
It will be followed by installation on Dixmude and Tonnerre.
CNN MCO manages integration, testing, and supervision in collaboration with SSF teams.
Retrofit studies have involved approximately 1,500 engineering hours at CNN MCO’s internal design office working together with Thales and CS Group.
To date, more than 40 modernisation reviews have led to 50 completed upgrades across three vessels over two years.
CNN MCO deputy director Céline Barazer said: “This programme confirms CNN MCO’s ability to carry out complex upgrades in shipboard environments. We’re proud to contribute to the modernisation of sensitive equipment on these vessels as part of an all-French initiative, working with the SSF, Thales and CS Group.”
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