CNN MCO, Thales, and CS GROUP have signed an agreement to update the navigation capabilities of the French Navy’s three Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers.
The upgrade program applies to the ships Mistral, Tonnerre, and Dixmude, and includes additional support for the auxiliary vessel Somme. Work on Dixmude and Tonnerre will align with routine maintenance schedules, with full completion targeted for 2027.
The initiative seeks to ensure that the amphibious fleet remains fully mission-capable, particularly in environments where electronic warfare could interfere with GPS signals.
Thales will deliver its TopAxyz inertial navigation system, which determines ship position, velocity, and heading solely through internal measurements and sensors, allowing autonomous navigation independent of satellite-based inputs.
CS GROUP will oversee integration of TopAxyz into each vessel’s navigation infrastructure, including sensor management, data distribution, embedded systems engineering, and cybersecurity. CNN MCO will perform installation, testing, maintenance, and lifecycle support onboard the ships.
A Mistral-class carrier measures 199 meters (653 feet) long, 32 meters (105 feet) wide, and displaces 21,500 tons. It can travel at speeds up to 19 knots (35 kilometers/22 miles per hour), hosts a crew of 177 and around 900 troops, supports 16 helicopters, carries 60 armored vehicles or 13 tanks, and features a 69-bed hospital.
