LSS Programme Division expansion in Saint Nazaire
In the wake of LSS PD expansion with the opening of Paris site on 15th February 2019, the new OCCAR satellite of Saint-Nazaire was activated on 3rd June 2019, with the arrival of a first Platform Support Officer, that will be supplemented in July by a second Staff Member.
Nested in the “Chantiers de l’Atlantique” (CDA) shipyard of Saint-Nazaire, France, the site will provide direct support for the FL-LSS contract, for both design and construction phases.
An aerial view of Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard – © Bernard Biger/ Chantiers de l’Atlantique
The advantage of this unique site location is the immediate local contact with “Chantiers de l’Atlantique” programme contributors, in close coordination with LSS PD Paris site, which is comparable to the Italian LSS PD site location in Fincantieri’s shipyard of Muggiano, in La Spezia, Italy. The Saint-Nazaire site can accommodate up to 10 staff members and features one large meeting room with VTC capabilities, and full access to OCCAR ICT network.
The Programme Committee Representatives, Ing. Gen. Laurent Sellier (French National Programme Representative and Director for DGA Naval Systems Armament Programmes), and Vice Admiral Matteo Bisceglia (Italian National Programme Representative and NAVARM Director), visited the Saint-Nazaire shipyard on Monday 17th June 2019 accompanied by Capt. Marcellin Charpy, Head of the Programme Department of the French Navy Headquarters.
The event was hosted by Mr. Laurent Castaing, General Manager of “Chantiers de l’Atlantique”, in the presence of Mr. Stéphane Frémont, Combat Ship/Programmes Manager of Naval Group, co-Contractor for the French LSS acquisition contract. The objective of this visit was to provide a comprehensive and detailed picture of Chantiers de l’Atlantique industrial capabilities, capacities and activities. A short introductory overview of “Chantiers de l’Atlantique” was presented by Mr. Castaing, during which discussions on potential European Industrial Cooperation initiatives in the Naval domain took place.
The tour ended with the visit of OCCAR newly inaugurated premises, swiftly set-up thanks to the common outstanding efforts from “Chantiers de l’Altantique”, OCCAR-CO – for all ICT aspects – and OCCAR Paris site – for logistics and H&S matters.
Mrs. Catherine Laval (OCCAR – LSS Deputy Programme Manager) and Mr. Francesco Gennaro Esposito (OCCAR – LSS Programme Manager) in Saint-Nazaire LSS PD new premises. © OCCAR
On Tuesday 18th June 2019, another two key events took place for the LSS Programme: the Systems Requirements Review closure meeting, a critical prerequisite for the Preliminary Design Review, and the Programme Progress Meeting number two.
The FL-LSS contract has now gained full momentum and the LSS PD is fully into gear in order to carry out the FL LSS next contract phase, the Preliminary Design Review, that will begin in the final days of June 2019.