German Navy to upgrade K130 corvettes with OSI’s integrated navigation system

Canada-based provider of navigation and tactical solutions OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) has been contracted to provide integrated navigation systems (INS) for the German Navy’s first batch of K130 (Braunschweig-class) corvettes.

The firm has been selected by German firm Arche Systeme GmbH (Arche). The contract includes the navigation systems for the corvettes and land-based test and training sites.

As explained, the navigation software ECPINS forms the heart of OSI’s IMO type-approved INS, and as for the F-126 program, will be fully compliant with Edition 3 of the NATO WECDIS STANAG 4564.

Furthermore, the contract covers new navigation radars, WECDIS, navigation workstations and interfacing with existing sensors as part of the upgrade features.

“This is an upgrade program to existing vessels. Once completed, the corvettes will share the same commonality, scalability and ECPINS navigation performance that will be exhibited in the F-126 as well as with that of other NATO and Allied customers,” Ken Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of OSI commented.

The ECPINS family consists of versions for surface ships, submarines and high-speed small craft, expected to enable fleet commonality, interoperability and reduced maintenance and training costs.

Specifically, as part of this program, the INS will be integrated into the existing bridge to provide the position navigation and time (PNT) for all the K-130 systems and networks.

“This advanced system offers the Navigation Officer immediate access to mission-critical capabilities for safe navigation. ECPINS is … suited to the German Navy, which participates in operations with other NATO and Allied navies,” Jim Davison, VP of Business Development in OSI stated.

The benefits of a multinational Fleet navigating using the same technology significantly improves interoperability that enables a common information exchange between navies and delivers efficiencies that enhance safe navigation in difficult tactical scenarios.”

The first five units were commissioned between 2008 and 2013, replacing the Gepard-class fast attack craft of the German Navy. In September 2017, a contract for the second batch of five units — Köln, Emden, Karlsruhe, Augsburg and Lübeck — was awarded. In the future, the navy will have a fleet of ten corvettes belonging to the 1st Corvette Squadron in Rostock-Warnemünde.

To remind, German company Naval Vessels Lürssen Group (NVL Group) hosted a keel-laying ceremony for the last K130 corvette.