naval-forces-focus-french-technology

» Future shipsMer et Marine6INTERNATIONAL SHOWS » 2014-2015Innovation, the keyto better warshipsFrench naval industry contractors are engaged in a range of R&D programmesto develop innovative products and systems offering cost-effective performance.Important announcements are expected over the next few years.Aside from long-term R&D, the Frenchnaval industry aims to introducea steady stream of technologicalinnovations meeting the needs ofclient navies. DCNS, a long-timeleader in naval R&D draws not only onits own broad expertise, but also ona long tradition of collaboration withpartners like Thales, MBDA, Sagem,Airbus Defence & Space and STXFrance. The group also draws on theknow-how of a vast network of SMEsand partnerships with engineeringschools and laboratories all over thecountry. The entire industry is thusfocused on innovation and solutionsto maintain its standing in the internationalmarketplace.DCNS has identified six top priorities.First, information superiority. R&Din this area aims to make availableopen high-performance systems thatare rugged, user-friendly and meetoperational challenges. These systemsmust work well in increasingly complexenvironments and accommodateexplosive growth in data exchanges,the growing importance of joint andallied operations and the need forimproved protection against cyberattacks. The anticipated advances willfocus on functional and operationalaspects of combat systems along withtactile technologies and augmentedreality to transform ops room andbridge into more intuitive workplaces.The French naval industry also aimsto develop new combat capabilitiesto counter asymmetric threats andthe proliferation of ballistic weaponsand submarines. Current R&Dprogrammes focus on the deploymentof the naval component of tacticalballistic missile defence (TBMD)systems, the integration of directedenergyweapons (including railgunsand high-power lasers) and improvedASW systems.© DCNS© MARINE NATIONALE© DCNS