NAVIRIS seals contract with OCCAR for the FREMM R&T Projects

Naviris, a 50/50 owned joint venture by Fincantieri and Naval Group, has signed its first contract regarding FREMM Research & Technology Projects with OCCAR, the European Joint Armaments Cooperation organisation, Fincantieri announced with a press release. Naviris, as prime contractor, will coordinate technical activities managed by Fincantieri and Naval Group and will own the intellectual property of all the research findings.

As a first step in this new framework, the two Nations have committed themselves in the field of five common Research and Technology (R&T) projects, object of the contract signed today. The national naval procurement bodies, SEGREDIFESA NAVARM and DGA/DO, in the wake of the existing synergies acquired with the FREMM programme, confirmed their intent to assign these activities to OCCAR through the FREMM Programme Division in Paris. The scope of the PD has thus been enlarged and this Contract will be followed soon by a second one concerning preliminary studies for Horizon Mid-Life Upgrade.

Claude Centofanti, CEO of Naviris, declared: “We are delighted that OCCAR has relied on us to participate to the Franco-Italian R&T program. This contract is the first step of more-to-come European projects, regarding not only joint research activities but also the upgrade of design and production process for the vessels destined to France, Italy and their export. We are enthusiastic to launch the activities of such a promising collaboration: the joint-venture Naviris will increasingly contribute to foster innovation and European leadership”.

Pierre-Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, declared: “I am very proud of the kick off of Naviris activities. Thanks to France, Italy and OCCAR, our joint-venture is able to launch a very ambitious R&T program for the coming three and a half years. The extraordinary skills and experience of Fincantieri and Naval Group will contribute to the long term technological advantage of our vessels. This dynamic will sustain the economic recovery of both our countries, Italy and France, in the aftermath of Covid-19 and will contribute to increase our Navies superiority. This R&T program is the first of many more to come. In addition to research projects, Naviris’ activities will soon encompass additional initiatives such as the Mid-Life Upgrade of the Horizon frigates”.

This R&T programme aims at delivering new capabilities, innovative tools and architectures for the Italian and French Navies and comprises five different projects as follows:

1) Fuel Cell System (FCS) Project aimed at the development of a modular Fuel Cell System (FCS) suitable for marine applications;

2) Digital Ship Project for the development of warship simulation capabilities throughout its lifecycle in order to allow improving product reliability through ship simulation;

3) Energy Consumption Optimisation Project for the study of new architectures and equipment in order to improve the global efficiency of the electrical network and monitoring electrical consumption on board surface vessels;

4) The Logistic of the Future Project will focus on providing innovative technologies to the traditional supply chain, to obtain advantages during the full product life cycle in the Naval Vessels domain.

5) Winning a Sea State Project aimed at the development of innovative tools, methods and engineering solutions for surface ships to better perform in higher sea state.

The OCCAR-EA Director, Mr Matteo Bisceglia has stated ” I would like to thank France and Italy for their continued trust in the Organisation. I am sure that this contract with NAVIRIS is the first step of long-lasting successful cooperation.”