FDI’s nice-to-have
- Smoother passage through the waves in high sea states, without bow submergence.
- Minimised deck wetness.
- No flare slamming.
- Increased waterline length: higher maximum speed.
- Improved close range deck visibility and gun firing: perfect for asymmetric warfare.
- Reduced radar cross section (RCS) to evade threats through stealth.
- A stunning look.
Now sea-proven
Since the delivery of lead ship Amiral Ronarc’h, the FDI has proven in high sea states its superior stability, and thus mission performance:
- 20 knots in sea state 7 (taking head-on 6-9m waves) already demonstrated in real life by FDI Amiral Ronarc’h.
- Reduced slamming effect and very low foredeck submersion rate, minimising stress and fatigue for the crew, the hull and onboard systems.
- Exceeds the top speed requirement of 27 knots.
A frigate that has already demonstrated its capabilities for long-endurance, high-speed operations, under the most demanding conditions. Built for the French Navy, the FDI meets the highest standards to enable it to be deployed all around the globe from Brest (Atlantic Ocean) and Toulon (Mediterranean Sea).
The most rational frigate
With its peculiar hull shape and size, the FDI features excellent hydrodynamics, with improved stability thanks to its active stabilisation fins:
- Less fuel consumption, especially at top speeds thanks to CODAD propulsion and variable-pitch propellers.
- The FDI’s inherent nautical qualities render moot the need for a fuel-hungry, complex-to-maintain gas-turbine: availability means capability.
Packing destroyer-tier capabilities in a compact size also comes with fleet wide structural advantages:
- Easier integration to existing infrastructures (often an overlooked ‘hidden cost’, at the expense of both budgets and schedules).
- Leaner crews, allowing to tackle growing and global HR challenges.
- Reduced life-cycle costs.
Resilience in combat
The FDI has been designed and built with the same uncompromising standards
as the French FREMM. This frontline ship is intended to survive combat and protect its crew:
- Full compartmentation and redundancy of systems (remotely-operated valves with pneumatic controls, 6+1 generators, 4 diesel engines…).
- Double watertight bulkhead in the middle of the ship.
- Dedicated engineering control room to complement the Integrated Platform Management System.
- CBRN-protected citadel.
