Implementation of RIFAN Armaments Programme, Stage 2, for French Navy

• Preliminary studies carried out successfully and on schedule in 2009

Solid partnership between large systems integrator EADS Defence & Security, armed vessels expert DCNS and radio systems provider Rohde & Schwarz

(May 19, 2010) -- After having been awarded the RIFAN (Reseau IP de la Force Aeronavale) stage 2 contract in 2008 and completed the preliminary design phase, EADS Defence & Security as prime contractor and DCNS and Rohde & Schwarz as co-contractors have now received the go-ahead from the French defence procurement agency DGA (Direction Generale de l'Armement) to implement the system and provide initial support.

The objective of this contract is to design, implement and deploy an updated version of the IP communication network for the French Naval Aviation force. It includes an initial three-year on-condition maintenance (OCM) agreement and identifies conditional phases of recurrent annual OCM over five supplementary years.

The phases recently launched by the DGA, valued at nearly EUR 50 million in total, comprise two steps: one is to design in detail / realise the RIFAN stage 2 system and produce the installation files, and the other is to validate the system and provide initial logistics support.

These steps will enable the DGA to commission the system's deployment on all target ships from mid-year onwards in line with the French Navy's requirements.

RIFAN stage 2 is part of a logic for digitising the operational space of the French Naval Aviation force and is one of the steps in the ongoing process to improve the force's information exchange capabilities.

It will implement the Navy's intentions to continue realising the concept of network-enhanced operations and optimise the broadband data exchange capabilities of the information systems for onboard staff.

RIFAN stage 2 is intended to boost the operational efficiency of the Navy's communication networks by increasing their interoperability with other joint networks in the military structure of France and its allies.

Source : European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (Paris: EAD.PA)