New navigation, optronics for French carrier

PARIS, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- New optronic and navigation equipment from Sagem is to be installed on the French Navy's aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.

Among the upgrades are an integrated combat system with Sagem's inertial units to provide the vessel's navigation functions and optronic intelligence systems for detecting and identifying airborne or surface threats.

The Sagem optronics intelligence system being supplied is the company's EOMS NG, or Electro-Optical Multifunction System -- New Generation.

"This product -- the only one of its kind in the world -- combines an intelligence unit and a long-range infrared panoramic tracker with an electro-optronics fire control system," said Pierre-Olivier Nouguès, head of Sagem's Marine Optronics department. "These sensors will be installed during the Charles-de-Gaulle's next maintenance period."

Sagem said the carrier's DALAS laser landing aid will also be upgraded.

"This system is essential, because it gives the landing deck officer information about the position of approaching aircraft with an extremely precision," Nouguès saod. "The information provided by the DALAS system is of prime importance for the officer, who can, if necessary, ask the pilot to go around for avoiding an accident. The new system will be delivered in early 2017."