Naval Group has selected Safran Electronics & Defense’s Paseo extra-long-range (XLR) sighting system for integration on-board the French Navy’s new medium-size frigates, known as the Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire (FTI).

The Paseo XLR system is intended to provide the French Navy with very-long-range identification and asymmetric combat capabilities, allowing front-line vessels to be deployed to operate near coastlines and engage small vessels demonstrating suspicious behaviour.

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The Safran system enables the FTI ship to determine the intentions of small vessels from a distance and subsequently activate its self-defence system when required.

"The Safran system enables the FTI ship to determine the intentions of small vessels from a distance and subsequently activate its self-defence system when required."

Safran Electronics & Defense Naval Key Accounts Sales and Marketing vice-president Pierre-Olivier Nougues said: “We are very proud to have won this contract from Naval Group on behalf of the French navy.

“These new frigates will be fitted with our highest-performance electro-optical sighting systems.”

The Paseo XLR represents the latest addition to Safran Electronics & Defense’s family of shipborne sighting systems, joining the company’s Vigy Observer / Engage and Paseo NS solutions.

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It is equipped with a stabilised turret taken from the DALAS NG, which is a deck-landing aid device for the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

The system also features a high-definition TV (HDTV) system, including a powerful telescope (spotter) and a very-long-range Satis XLR infrared imager, in addition to an eyesafe laser rangefinder.

Furthermore, a shortwave infrared (SWIR) channel is included to improve the performance of the system under foggy conditions.

The French Navy is currently slated to begin taking delivery of the five 4,000t FTI vessels from 2023.

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