naval-forces-focus-french-technology

7Mer et Marine2014-2015 « INTERNATIONAL SHOWS Future ships «© DCNS © AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACEUnmanned systems promise to expandwarship capabilities. In addition tosurveillance missions, armed UAVs willbring big changes in the way militaryoperations are conducted. An earlyleader, DCNS offers a unique integratedsolution enabling surface combatantsto launch and recover multi-sensor orarmed UAVs. The group is also workingon multi-platform engagement and theintegration of unmanned combat airvehicles with aircraft carriers.The integrated topside is anotherpriority. DCNS and Thales aredeveloping new concepts tointegrate masts and superstructurewith fixed and panoramic systemsgrouping together all surveillance,communications and EW resources.New materials and antennatechnologies promise solutions toelectromagnetic compatibility issuesbetween different systems. Supportedby French defence procurement agencyDGA, this major programme aims todevelop highly integrated topsideswhile ensuring the simultaneous andnominal operation of all sensors andcommunications systems, an objectivethat still presents big challenges.Meanwhile, contractors are workingon dynamic stealth, a conceptto improve combat survival bydynamically adjusting observablesto circumstances allowing warshipsto melt into the electromagneticenvironment, particularly inlittoralwaters.Lower fuel and energy consumptionis another priority, not least to meetthe challenge of rising fuel costs.Improved fuel and energy efficiencyare also needed to accommodate theforthcoming introduction of high-energytechnologies like new-generationsensors and directed-energy weapons.Reduced hydrodynamic drag, moreefficient propulsion systems and fuelefficientauxiliaries will all contributeas will smart shipboard energymanagement and compact hybridpropulsion systems. Over the next fiveyears, DCNS aims to reduce the FrenchNavy's annual oil consumption by 20%.With many of these innovationsexpected to become available quitesoon, platform capabilities, operationand efficiency will improve andnavies can look forward to loweroperating costs. «