DCNS Begins Sea Trials of First-of-Class FREMM Frigate Aquitaine

One month early, DCNS begins the sea trials of the Aquitaine, the first ship built under the FREMM multimission frigate programme. The campaign takes place off the Brittany peninsula and is expected to last several weeks including return trips to DCNS’s shipyard. Delivery to the French Navy is scheduled for 2012.

The joint crew comprising French Navy personnel, customer representatives and employees of DCNS and its partners will demonstrate the ship’s seakeeping and other nautical qualities as well as the performance of the propulsion and navigation systems.

“These trials represent the culmination of the combined efforts of many people working towards common goals, including teams employed by DCNS and its partners and suppliers, the trials crews and customer representatives,” commented FREMM programme manager Vincent Martinot-Lagarde.

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First French FREMM Frigate Prepares for Sea Trials

In accordance with the Program schedule, DCNS is completing equipment integration and harbor acceptance tests on board the first-of-class FREMM multi-mission frigate Aquitaine. All major ship systems must be tested before the major milestone of the first sea going, scheduled next spring.

So far 95% of the electrical and hydraulic equipments of the ship have been installed, so teams are ramping up for the harbor acceptance tests of the principal systems: the information and communication system, the navigation systems (navigation radar, early warning radar), the electric power and distribution system (including four diesel generators), the combat system and the propulsion system.