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ECA Group to modernize Scorpene Steering Consoles for Chilean Navy

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Within the framework of the maintenance program of the Chilean Scorpène-class submarines, ECA Group was requested by the Navy of Chile to take care of the modernization of the Steering Consoles.

This program includes several phases:

  • Modernization of the Supervision Units
  • Replacement of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) : screens, trackballs, control handle,…
  • Modernization of the Opsys calculator, an open hardware and sofware control & monitoring system

This project allows ECA Group to strengthen its long-time collaboration with Chilean Navy on its fleet of Scorpenes submarines (in particular since the replacement of the static converters) while assuring to ECA Group a favored partner's position for future projects, such as the modernization of the static converters of their U209-class submarines.

About ECA Group' Steering Consoles

ECA Group' Steering Consoles is a generic sea proven solution that manages the 3D motion of submarines, by controlling diving planes and Rudder.

Simplicity of use, availability, accuracy, reliability and maintainability are the keys design concepts on which are based the steering consoles. The open and modular architecture make it adaptable to any submarine design and additional functions increase the performance of the user. 

Steering Consoles are equipped with a high performance numerical autopilot enabling several control modes (Automatic, manual and mixed modes).

About Chilean Navy Submarine fleet

Chile possesses one of the most important fleet of submarines and warships in Latin America, and its numerous modernization and maintenance programs make of this country a major strategic partner for ECA Group.

Chilean Navy's operated a total of 4 attack submarines including 2 Scorpene-Class vessels commissioned in 2005 and 2006, as well as 2 older Type-209 boats. The modernzation plan includes the upgrade of the Type-209 submarines with some features of the Scorpene-class submarines including steering consoles and energy converter.