Paris 27 October 2014 15:43
Finmeccanica, through its companies OTO Melara and WASS, takes part in Euronaval “International Naval Defence & Maritime Exhibition & Conference”, the most important European exhibition dedicated to naval armaments that is held from 27 to 31 October at the Le Bourget exhibition centre (Paris).
Finmeccanica provides systems and equipment to a large number of national Navies worldwide. More in detail the Group supplies command and control systems, integrated solutions for coastal and port surveillance or the protection and security of exclusive economic zones (EEZ), underwater and air defence systems, as well as high performance equipment and sensors such as radar, electro-optic sensors and communications.
The Italo-French cooperation programs Horizon and FREMM and the international partnerships with the United Arab Emirates in the naval sector, have confirmed Finmeccanica’s role in integrating combat systems and supplying flexible and multifunctional naval systems in line with the most modern requirements and suitable for seizing opportunities presented by export markets. Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, the joint venture between Fincantieri and Finmeccanica-SELEX ES, has a product portfolio ranging from offshore patrol vessels to aircraft carriers. Through this joint venture, Italy participates in the Italo-French FREMM Multimission Frigates Project, of which the Italian Navy is one of the main customers. Recently, cooperation between the two Groups has been further enhanced thanks to an agreement for naval vessels aimed at increasing competitiveness on national and international markets, through a more efficient and effective integrated offer in the naval sector by the two groups.
Finmeccanica OTO Melara is unveiling the new HITROLE 20mm turret at Euronaval. It is modern, stabilised, electrically operated and remotely controlled modern naval system, that can be equipped with 3 or 6 rotating barrel weapons. The HITROLE 20 is ideal for maritime policing operations and for dealing with asymmetrical threats. Solutions developed by Finmeccanica OTO Melara have achieved great international success, with the Navies of many countries choosing to buy Finmeccanica products to equip their platforms. It is in France that Finmeccanica OTO Melara now has consolidated presence in a number of projects including the FREMM frigates.
At Euronaval, Finmeccanica-WASS, world leader in underwater technology, shows the new Black Arrow Lightweight Torpedo, jointly projected with Italian Navy, the first in the world in terms of flexibility, performances and very low life-cycle cost. It can be launched by any platform, including underwater ones and it is able to attack any kind of underwater and surface target with lethal and non-lethal attack type (Mission abort). It is powered by a Lithium-Polymers rechargeable battery. There will be in exposition even the new mini-lightweight torpedo Black Scorpion, the heavyweight torpedo Black Shark. The Morpheus system will also be presented, integrating through a command and control console the Black Snake towed array sonar and countermeasures manufactured by WASS. Finally, the V-Fides Unmanned Underwater Vehicle will also be on show, a development initiative for a new flexible underwater robot, aimed at the civilian market and to be used in multiple contexts such as in the oil and gas sector.