Spain F110-Class multi-mission Frigates to be equipped with iXblue navigation systems.

According to information published by iXblue on February 16, 2021, Spain Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) and the Spanish Navy have selected iXblue’s Marins Series Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Netans Navigation Data Distribution & Computation Systems to provide critical navigation capabilities to the five new F110-Class multi-mission Frigates. The contract has been signed by Grafinta, S.A., iXblue´s official distributor.
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Future F-110 Frigate (Picture source: iXblue)

Developed by Navantia for the Spanish Navy, the multi-mission frigates and their anti-submarine warfare capabilities will be used for missions such as fleet protection and maritime security and will be deployed to counter conventional and asymmetric threats. The first frigate is expected to be deployed in 2026 while the remaining four will be delivered up until 2031.

iXblue Marins Inertial Navigation Systems, based on the Fiber-Optic Gyroscope (FOG) technology, combined with the Netans data distribution & processing units, will provide the F110 frigates with reliable, robust, and highly accurate navigation information, regardless of the environment, including within GNSS denied areas.

“Our Marins INS already being used by the Spanish Navy and having received very positive feedback from the crews, they knew that they would meet the F110-Class multi-mission Frigates requirements for robustness and performance,” explains Carlos Lopes, Regional Sales Manager at iXblue. “The F110 frigates are going to be equipped with advanced technologies available to naval platforms today and will need to be able to face the threats posed by the spoofing and jamming of GNSS signals, Our INS and data distribution units will help do just that."

Officially designated Buque de Superficie de la Armada (patrullero multifunction) for Navy Surface Ship (multifunction patrol), the F-110 will be larger than Spanish navy's BAM (Buque de Acción Marítima) OPV but smaller than the F-100 Alavaro de Bazan class AEGIS Frigates.

As multifunction vessels, the F-110 will be fitted with 24x Mk 41 VLS cells for SM-2s and ESSM surface-to-air missiles, 8x anti-ship missiles, a 127mm main gun. Sensors will include the new integrated mast (combining fire control radar, main search radar, communication devices and EW sensors), a towed array and a hull sonar. A "multi mission space" will allow to transport and deploy unmanned vehicles (AUV, USV, UUV), containers and RHIBs. F-110 are expected to reach 30 knots thanks to a the hybrid propulsion system.