DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative player in energy. As a naval prime contractor, shipbuilder and systems integrator, DCNS combines resources and expertise spanning the naval defence value chain and entire system lifecycles. DCNS delivers innovative solutions from integrated warships to strategic systems, equipment, services and new energy solutions.
In addition, DCNS has consistently demonstrated that it can be a key partner for navies to expand their operational capabilities. The Group benefits from a real tradition of transfer of technology and has developed a technology transfer methodology based on the progressive transfer of skills and know-how in conjunction with the phased expansion of local industrial capabilities.
From Brazil to Singapore, from India to Norway, DCNS has sold warships and naval systems to some 30 countries over the last few years.
At the end of 2009, the Brazilian Navy has entrusted DCNS with the design and construction of four conventional-propulsion submarines under a technology transfer agreement, the technical assistance for the design and construction of the first Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine, except the nuclear propulsion system, and the support services for the construction of a naval base and a shipyard in Brazil.
On 1 March 2013, Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, officially inaugurated the Brazilian Navy submarine construction facility, which comprises all the industrial facilities and special tooling needed to manufacture the outfitted hull sections of Scorpene submarines under the PROSUB programme (PROgrama de SUBmarinos). This latest milestone reflects the ongoing success of DCNS’s partnership with Brazil and the excellent progress of the PROSUB programme.
The DCNS stand showcases:
Submarines
DCNS expertise in submarine design and construction, through the Scorpene medium-size submarines. Already chosen by the Brazilian Navy and other first rank navies, Scorpene submarines represents the state-of-the-art in submarine design and construction and benefits from the latest technologies developed for nuclear-powered classes operated by the French Navy, particularly as regards acoustic discretion and combat system performance. Excellent endurance makes the Scorpene one of the few medium-displacement designs suitable for extended ocean patrol duties. The modular design can also be readily tailored to each customer’s specific mission profiles and other requirements.
The Andrasta, a compact submarine designed to operate in coastal waters, a theatre of growing importance to all maritime nations. Being also a fearsome adversary in deep water, Andrasta combines a state-of-the-art design with stealth, agility and power. A direct descendant of the Scorpene, the Andrasta is remarkably effective in any underwater role that a client navy may wish to assign to it.
Combat Systems
DCNS has over 40 years of experience in design, development and integration of combat systems for international navies. To respond to today’s naval defence needs, DCNS offers fully integrated combat systems solutions for new and modernization programmes and for any type of submarines and surface vessels from Offshore Patrol Vessel to aircraft carrier.
SETIS manages ant-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare and is designed to perform intelligence gathering, land attack and special operations. SETIS can be fitted on all types of surface ships with heavy weapon capabilities to meet evolving navies requirements such as: to defend vital interest, to guarantee homeland security, to resolve conflict and crisis and to ensure naval superiority.
A wide range of expertise in surface ships
The FREMM ER are the first frigates to have the latest generation multifunction radar with four fixed panels. Combined with the powerful algorithms of the SETIS combat management system, this sensor provides complete radar cover age of the air space both for surveillance and for weapon control. Its capacity for discrimination is exceptional even in the most challenging environments.
DCNS has been working on definition studies for ‘PA2’, a second aircraft carrier for the French Navy, since 2003. The aim is to ensure the continuous availability at all times, to France and to Europe, of a key power projection capability, air/sea dominance and deep strike missions. The need for a constantly operational carrier-based air wing was confirmed in the 2008 white paper on defence and national security.
The projection and command ship or Mistral LHD is a multipurpose surface vessel designed to cover a broad spectrum of missions, including amphibious operations, crisis management, airborne operations, operational command, operational transport, healthcare support, humanitarian operations and freight transport. The operational capability and interoperability of the Mistral LHD were demonstrated in Operation Baliste off Lebanon and on sea trials with the US Navy (involving the LCAC and Super Stallion).
Submarines’ systems
The Contralto-S torpedo countermeasures suite for submarines is designed to defeat latest-generation torpedoes. It uses acoustic decoys and is based on the ‘confusion/dilution’ principle. Contralto-S is designed for all types of submarines and can be incorporated into new-build designs or added to existing boats as part of a refit or modernisation programme.
Customers to date include the French Navy’s SSBN (ballistic missile nuclear submarine) and SSN (nuclear attack submarine) fleets under the Nemesis programme and the Brazilian Navy for its new class of SSKs (conventional submarine).
The MU90 is the sole totally new lightweight torpedo in the world. Designed and built with the most advanced technology, it is capable to counter any type of nuclear or conventional submarine even acoustically coated, deep diving, fast evasive, deploying anti-torpedo effectors or bottomed in littoral areas.
Services
Last but not least, DCNS offers a wide range of support services during the entire lifecycle of both surface ships and submarines. These services stretch from the simplest order of spare parts to the through-life support of complete fleet.
On top of current support operations, DCNS can carry out modernisation and life extension programmes to maintain fleet availability at optimal cost. DCNS also offers a complete set of courses and solutions designed to train all levels of naval and industrial personnel, from the start of a project through decommissioning and/or dismantling. Finally, DCNS proposes services in naval bases and shipyards from the Design, Engineering, Construction, Operation to the maintenance of these infrastructures. This global offer is designed to help navies to maintain and expand their self-sufficiency within technology transfer programmes.
In Brazil DCNS is providing expertise for the design of the naval base and the infrastructure needed to build and maintain the submarines. DCNS’s role includes the overall design, definition of functional specifications based on requirements, technical assistance for the construction phase, site supervision and acceptance of completed work and industrial equipment.
DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative player in energy. DCNS designs, builds and supports surface combatants, submarines and mission-critical systems and equipment incorporating the most advanced technologies. The Group employs 13,200 people and generates annual revenues of around €2.9 billion.
