DCNS
has achieved formal qualification of the FREMM frigate Aquitaine's flight
deck for operations with the Lynx helicopter. This milestone was reached
several months ahead of schedule after a successful deck landing campaign
at sea, organised by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) in
early February. Trials were conducted with a Lynx helicopter operated
by the French Navy.
Trials to qualify the flight deck of the first-of-class FREMM frigate
were conducted in early February and supervised by the DGA. French Navy
test pilots completed several series of approaches and as many as 50
deck landings with a Lynx five-tonne class helicopter. The operations
were a complete success. In particular, the pilots appreciated the absence
of turbulence above the flight deck in all landing positions.
"This qualification milestone further demonstrates the excellent
progress we are making on the programme," said Vincent Martinot-Lagarde,
FREMM programme manager. "DCNS teams stepped up their efforts
to ensure that all the equipment needed for deck landing trials on the
vessel was ready ahead of the initial schedule. This first qualification
of the FREMM flight deck was initially planned to take place after delivery."
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