[JLRC]

AMS: Key Supplier for the Newly Launched FREMM Programme
 
 
(Source: Alenia Marconi Systems; issued Oct. 26, 2004)
 
 
 The FREMM programme is a cooperative programme between the Italian and French Navies for the supply of 27 (10 to Italy, 17 to France) New Generation Multi-mission Frigates (Anti Submarine Warfare-ASW, Land Attack, Multipurpose) that will be in service in the next decade.  
 
Within this programme AMS will have an important role as major supplier of leading-edge technology based on the last generation systems, recently developed for two other major programmes: Horizon frigates and Cavour New Aircraft Carrier of the Italian Navy. This approach, along with the FREMM development, will secure coherence and continuity of systems supplied which will in turn result in significant benefit on vessels life-cycle (training, spare parts, future upgrading, etc) with substantial cost reduction.  
 
Furthermore, the Combat Management Systems which are being installed on the Cavour carrier, the Horizon Frigates and FREMM Frigates will secure a total interoperability. AMS will also be the leading supplier of the multifunctional radar EMPAR (the heart of the missile systems), the new generation IFF radar, the RAN 30X/I medium range radar, the Inner Layer Defence System based on the NA-25 Fire Control System, together with the Dual Weapon Assignment Logic Unit (DWALU).  
 
The difference between the Italian and French versions of FREMM vessels strictly complies with different operative requirements outlined by the two Navies.  
 
AMS has 7,000 employees worldwide, a turnover of some 1.3 billion euros and a healthy orderbook in excess of 3 billion euros, which underpins ambitious growth plans for the next four years. AMS is a major European company in systems’ integration owned by BAE Systems of the UK and Finmeccanica of Italy, with a combined annual turnover of some 27 billion euros  
 
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[JLRC]

MBDA: the Missile System Prime Contractor for the FREMM Programme
 
 
(Source: MDBA; issued Oct. 27, 2004)
 
 
 As principal missile systems prime contractor for all the major European naval programmes, MBDA is playing an integral role in the Franco-Italian FREMM (Frégates Européenne Multi-Missions) programme. Under FREMM, MBDA will be developing and integrating the air defence, anti-ship and land attack capabilities to this new generation of frigates to establish both their maritime superiority and land attack capability.  
 
Within the FREMM programme, France and Italy have confirmed their decision to cooperate in the development and production of 27 new frigates. Beyond the commonality at the missile system level for air defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, there will be two variants of the new frigate: an anti-submarine version and an AVT land attack version (Action Vers La Terre).  
 
In both cases, MBDA has been identified as the sole missile systems prime contractor for the frigate.  
 
FREMM’s air defence will be provided by MBDA’s SAAM system comprising two, eight-cell, vertical launch modules housing a total of 16 Aster 15 missiles. To provide France with the required ship-launched land attack capability, MBDA is developing Scalp Naval and drawing on experience gained from the highly successful Storm Shadow / Scalp EG air-launched cruise missile with which the air forces of France, Italy and the UK are currently equipped and which is also scheduled to equip the Greek air force.  
 
Scalp Naval, a 1000km plus class missile system, benefits from a high degree of commonality with Storm Shadow / Scalp EG particularly with regard to its propulsion and navigation systems as well as its high precision terminal guidance. In addition to providing the land attack capability on the French AVT version of its future multi-mission FREMM frigates, Scalp Naval will also provide the same capability on the French navy’s six future Barracuda nuclear powered attack submarines. System development is already under way and a series of compatibility trials with the platform have been conducted.  
 
Scalp Naval will be launched from the frigates from a multi-purpose Sylver A70 vertical launcher, also capable of launching a mix of Aster 15 and Aster 30 air defence missiles. In this respect the A70 launcher, one of a family of Sylver vertical launchers, could also be a consideration not only for the Italian version of FREMM but also for the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers. For submarine launch, Scalp Naval, housed in its own launch capsule, will be fired from the submarine’s torpedo tubes.  
 
For the FREMM’s anti-ship mission, MBDA will be supplying Exocet MM40 Block 3, the latest addition to the Exocet family of missiles. MM40 Block 3, development of which is already well advanced, features an enhanced navigation system and a doubling of the range of its predecessor to give it a littoral attack capability bringing coastal areas within the realm of this highly efficient instrument of maritime superiority.  
 
Also on board FREMM will be MBDA’s Teseo Mk2/A, which will be the anti-ship weapon system for the Italian variant. Known in the export market as Otomat Mk2, this long-range, sea-skimming missile system is the latest development of Otomat featuring a range of enhancements to make this an extremely lethal anti-ship weapon in all weather conditions, all but impervious to enemy countermeasures. This version of Teseo also has the future potential to include a littoral attack capability.  
 
MBDA’s Milas system will provide the Italian FREMM with the capability of launching anti-submarine torpedoes at long range to provide the host ship and others in the fleet with defence against all types of submarines.  
 
For ship-board helicopters, MBDA has developed the fully digital Marte Mk2 anti-ship missile which has been selected by the Italian navy to arm the NH-90 helicopters on board its FREMM frigates. This medium range, sea-skimming missile, benefiting from an improved seeker for enhanced target penetration, can also be deployed on the EH-101 helicopter.  
 
With an annual turnover exceeding EUR 2 billion, a forward order book of over EUR 14 billion and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects.  
 
MBDA is jointly owned by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%).  
 
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