According to information published by Thales on October 28, 2021, the French firm and CS GROUP have combined their complementary expertise to offer a high-performance, resilient and cybersecure navigation system. The system comprises Thales's TopAxyz inertial navigation unit, which has delivered outstanding performance in the especially rigorous conditions of civil aviation, clocking up over 20 million hours of operation.
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TopAxyz inertial navigation unit with Sea Fire Radar on future FDI frigate (Picture source: Thales)
The naval version of the unit was integrated on a Navy vessel in less than a day by CS GROUP and has already proven its operational value for maritime navigation.
The TopAxyz inertial unit uses accurate, reliable navigation information that is independent of sea state and vessel location, combined with a function that detects attempts to spoof GPS signals. The navigation data calculated by TopAxyz is distributed in real-time by the NDDS (Navigation Data Distribution System) developed by CS GROUP's onboard computer.
This computer uses the latest technological advances in cybersecurity, guaranteeing the best level of resilience to attacks. Its architecture offers 3 key advantages: safer navigation, reduced costs and integration risks, ease of use, and simplified maintenance of the system.
The new compact, high-performance maritime inertial navigation system has already demonstrated its maturity in an operational setting during its first sea trial on a military vessel. No calibration is required during the service life of the system, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership.
The system provides high-precision pointing, gyrocompass, location, and navigation functionality for all types of naval platforms, from surface combatants and submarines to autonomous vehicles.
The SEA FIRE is a fully digital AESA multifunction radar, equipped with four fixed antenna panels, supporting the ships’ simultaneous defence against threats ranging from conventional to asymmetric or hyper-velocity & highly-maneuvering.
It brings moderate size frigates the power & performance of destroyers dedicated to extended air defence with advanced surveillance and fire control capabilities.
