Thales completes TACTICOS CMS shipset for first Type 31 frigate

The Type 31 mission system is based on a tailored variant of Thales' TACTICOS Baseline 2 CMS product. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)

Thales Nederland has completed production of the first TACTICOS combat management system (CMS) shipset for the first of the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) Inspiration (Type 31)-class general-purpose frigates.

Under a contract awarded in November 2019, UK shipbuilder Babcock, leading the ‘Team 31' consortium, will deliver five Type 31 ships for the RN. The class is based on the Arrowhead 140 design – an evolution of the Royal Danish Navy's Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, which were designed by OMT and adapted for UK requirements by Babcock and BMT.

As part of Team 31, which also includes OMT and BMT, Thales is responsible for the delivery and integration of the Type 31 mission system, which includes a version of its TACTICOS Baseline 2 CMS. Thales' scope of supply also includes its NS100 E/F-band dual-axis multibeam surveillance radar, the Gatekeeper panoramic electro-optical surveillance system, Mirador Mk 2 electro-optical surveillance/fire-control directors, the TopLink tactical datalink processor, and the communications suite for the programme.

Speaking to media during an 18 January visit to Thales Nederland's Hengelo site, where the TACTICOS CMS shipsets are being produced, a Thales spokesperson said the company was on schedule with production of the first and second CMS shipsets. The first shipset had completed manufacture and is due to undergo formal factory acceptance later this year, he said.

During the visit, Janes was shown the complete CMS hardware package for Type 31, comprising 11 MOC Mk 4 multifunction operator consoles (one additional MOC Mk 4 console will be fitted on the bridge) plus nine electronics cabinets.