CNN MCO, Thales, and CS GROUP have formed a partnership to upgrade the navigation systems on France’s three Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers.
The modernization effort covers the vessels Mistral, Tonnerre, and Dixmude, along with support for the replenishment and reconnaissance ship Somme. Installation work on Dixmude and Tonnerre will be carried out in line with scheduled fleet maintenance cycles, with full deployment expected by 2027.
The project is intended to maintain the French Navy’s amphibious fleet at full operational readiness, even in contested environments where electronic warfare could disrupt GPS-dependent navigation.
Thales will supply its TopAxyz inertial navigation system, which calculates a ship’s position, speed, and heading using onboard sensors—such as gyroscopes and accelerometers—without requiring external signals like GPS.
CS GROUP will integrate the TopAxyz technology into each ship’s navigation architecture, managing sensor fusion, data distribution, embedded systems, and cybersecurity. CNN MCO will handle onboard installation, testing, long-term maintenance, and operational support.
A Mistral-class landing helicopter dock is 199 meters (653 feet) long, has a beam of 32 meters (105 feet), displaces 21,500 tons, and reaches speeds of 19 knots (35 kilometers/22 miles per hour). The vessel accommodates 177 crew members, up to 900 embarked troops, 16 helicopters, 60 armored vehicles or 13 tanks, and includes a 69-bed medical facility.
