DCNS tests FREMM frigate's weapon system

LORIENT, France, June 26 (UPI) -- A second FREMM multi-mission frigate for the French Navy has completed five weeks of combat weapon systems testing at sea.

French shipbuilder DCNS said the testing of the Normandie involved integrating the frigate into numerous scenarios, including anti-aircraft warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

French Navy assets such as radar beacons, fighter planes, helicopters, surface ships, and submarines were used in the combat system tests, DCNS said.

"In total, we performed around 50 trials on the FREMM Normandie, thanks to the active involvement of all the DCNS, French Navy, DGA and OCCAR teams," said Anne Bianchi, director of the FREMM program. "These trials contribute to the proper integration of the frigate's different sensors and weapons into the latest-generation SETIS combat management system developed by DCNS."

OCCAR is a European Union organization for through life management of cooperative defense equipment programs. Both France and Italy are building FREMM frigates.

The Normandie is now being tested on interoperability with France's first FREMM frigate, the Aquitaine. It will be delivered to the Navy later this year.

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