Image source: topwar.ru
The French Navy has decided to modernize its helicopter carriers. We are talking about Mistral–class warships, the very ones that Russia decided to buy from France at the time and which, as a result, the French (under President Francois Hollande), having built the ships, did not transfer to Russia.
It is reported that the French Mistrals are now equipped with new systems for detecting sea and air threats. We are talking about the CAT EYE H20 electro-optical/infrared system.
According to some reports, the system will also be installed on Floreal-class frigates, and the need for this kind of retrofitting of French warships is associated with the danger of attacks from UAVs and unmanned sea boats.
Image source: topwar.ru
The French Navy said that the CAT EYE system "meets the needs of the naval forces."
In fact, this is a marine version of the system that the French military uses on land to monitor objects at sea. Now it has been finalized taking into account the specifics of the application based in the marine environment, including taking into account pitching – with additional stabilization devices.
Here's what the system developer says about this:
In other words, this French "Cat's Eye" (which is exactly how the abbreviation sounds in English) can be used at night, detecting low-noise UAVs and backups that can be aimed at the same Mistral.
It is reported that the system includes day and night sensors, synchronizing them with lighting devices. The claimed detection range is up to 20 km at night and up to 40 km during the day.
