Comprehensive IBMS and ECPINS
OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) has been selected by Damen Naval to provide a comprehensive navigation suite to the German Navy’s F126 programme, the company announced on 6 October. The contract includes Integrated Bridge Management Systems (IBMS) for the frigates and land-based test and training sites.
ECPINS, which powers all the solutions, forms the heart of OSI’s IMO type-approved Integrated Navigation System – MSC 252(83), and is the leading WECDIS among NATO and allied navies, representing over 35 years of continuous development. Already 80% compliant to STANAG 4564 Edition 3, ECPINS is on a funded development track to full compliance.
“The German Navy [is] our 24th customer and [will be able to] experience the exceptional capabilities of OSI’s Warship IBMS and WECDIS systems,” observed Ken Kirkpatrick, President and CEO. “More so, the system design will share the same commonality, scalability, and ECPINS navigation performance with that of other NATO and allied customers.”
The ECPINS family consists of versions for surface vessels, submarines, and high-speed small craft, enabling fleet commonality, interoperability, and reduced maintenance and training costs. In addition, ECPINS and OSI’s IBMS underlying technology allows for integration into an array of other warship systems. As part of this programme, the IBMS will be integrated into the Thales TACTICOS Management System and provide the Position Navigation and Time (PNT) for all the F126 systems and networks.
Jim Davison, VP Business Development, added “ECPINS is ideally suited to the German Navy because ECPINS pilotage features are all based upon the Royal Navy BR45 Navigation series and are employed by the majority of NATO and close allied navies. In addition, ECPINS also provides powerful operational benefits, such as a military-grade chart engine, advanced automatic Pool of Errors, GNSS Denied, and Tactical Data Sharing between Surface ships and small craft ECPINS”.
As a result of OSI’s growing regional customer base and commitment to service, the company is extending its support hub in the UK. Over 40 programme managers, system engineers and maintenance experts will support its client navies in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Also, OSI is finalising arrangements for German local industrial participation for the F126 and other German Navy programmes.
