As part of the French Navy’s programme for the maintenance in operational condition (MCO) of its vessels, CNN MCO, an Equans France company, has announced a strategic partnership with Thales and CS GROUP, a subsidiary to Sopra Steria, to equip the amphibious helicopter carriers (AHC) with a new, highly resilient inertial navigation system designed for electronic warfare environments. Together, the three companies form a 100% French and sovereign industrial consortium dedicated to naval performance.
The French Navy’s Fleet Support Service (SSF) is leading this initiative to upgrade navigation systems on the PHA-type amphibious helicopter carriers and has tasked CNN MCO as its fleet support contract holder with completing the work. Awarded in 2022 for a period of eight years, CNN MCO’s contract covers all onboard systems on the three PHA vessels: Mistral, Tonnerre and Dixmude. It also includes in-service support of the Somme BCR-type command and underway replenishment vessel. The objective is to ensure the availability at sea and full operational capability of these platforms in an increasingly demanding strategic environment.
To address the progressive obsolescence of certain critical systems, the contract includes more than 40 modernisation studies. Conducted across three separate vessels, these studies have already resulted in 50 upgrades in the last two years. CNN MCO is managing these phases in close coordination with the SSF, from preliminary design studies through to shipboard integration.
Within the consortium, CS GROUP, a subsidiary of Sopra Steria, brings its leading expertise in navigation systems. The Thales inertial navigation units will be integrated into CS Group’s global navigation system. As the navigation system forms the backbone of a warship — ensuring positioning accuracy and manoeuvring safety — this technological partnership guarantees precision, resilience and service continuity in the most demanding maritime environments.
With over 15 years of experience, CS GROUP has mastered the integration of all navigation sensors, the development of resilient and cyber-secure navigation data distribution systems, and the serial production of rugged embedded systems for harsh environments.
The integration of these new systems, carried out by CNN MCO, complies with stringent safety requirements and leverages existing infrastructures. To date, the retrofit studies have required nearly 1,500 hours of engineering by CNN MCO’s in-house design office, in partnership with Thales and CS Group.
CNN MCO is responsible for integration, test supervision and equipment maintenance, working directly with the SSF teams. The aim is to optimise installation windows in order to ensure the operational availability of the systems at sea.
“This programme confirms CNN MCO’s ability to carry out complex upgrades in shipboard environments. We’re proud to contribute to the modernisation of sensitive equipment on these vessels as part of an all-French initiative, working with the SSF, Thales and CS Group.”, said Céline Barazer, Deputy Director of CNN MCO, an Equans France company
“With 40 years of experience in inertial navigation systems for aircraft, space launchers, air defence systems and artillery, Thales is now bringing this know-how to naval operations. We’re proud to play a part in providing resilient navigation solutions for France’s naval vessels as a prerequisite for ensuring freedom of action by armed forces at sea.” , said Florent Chauvancy, Vice-President, Flight Avionics, Thales
“By contributing alongside CNN MCO and Thales to a 100% French solution, we reaffirm the importance of sovereign expertise serving the French Navy. A long-standing partner of the naval forces, CS GROUP is proud to support the fleet’s performance and safety, and to ensure the coherent and resilient integration of the entire navigation chain.”, said Frédéric Dussart, Director, Defence & Security Activities, CS Group
