Frigate Production Programme Now Moves Forward
Navantia, in conjunction with the Spanish Navy and MoD, has concluded the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the F-110 frigate, meaning the class is now ready to begin fully-fledged production.
A key milestone in the development of a system as complex as the F-110 smart frigate, is a fundamental element of the programme, as it ensures the design meets the capabilities requested by the MoD. Construction of the first pilot blocks of F-111, the first of its class, began last April when President Pedro Sánchez led the ceremony of cutting the first steel. Commencement of production, coupled with progress in establishing the supply chain mean that CDR has been achieved in a manner that production work and the proper training of personnel have been guaranteed. All five of the F-110-class currently on order are scheduled to be delivered by 2032.
Development of the design, fully validated by the CDR, has included significant contributions from suppliers and collaborating industry, which has been flexible in adapting proposals to the new developments and capabilities that the frigate will incorporate. In fact, the CDR included new elements not contemplated in previous programmes, given the digital and smart profile of the new frigate and the functionality of the future Digital Twin.
Begun in December last year, the CDR has been conducted in some 30 technical sessions and two plenary sessions at the Ferrol shipyard on 21 and 22 June. The level of technical maturity is the highest ever achieved in a Navantia programme, and the F-110 design is now ready to be showcased to the international market.
International suppliers such as Lockheed Martin, Indra, Thales, Ingeteam and Ferri contributed to the CDR, the final executive session of which, on 23 June, was also attended by officials from the Directorate General for Armaments and Material (DGAM), the Navy’s Logistics Support Headquarters (JAL) and the Naval General Staff (EMA).
