PhotonFirst and Naval Group are joining forces to test the use of fibre-optic sensors on the structures of Naval Group’s surface vessels and submarines. The objective is to improve the structural monitoring of naval platforms, and, ultimately, to enhance their operational availability and reduce maintenance requirements.
This partnership forms part of the cooperation between Naval Group and the Netherlands’ DTIB. By combining PhotonFirst’s Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based sensing technology with Naval Group’s naval expertise, the project aims to demonstrate how the application of fiber-optic sensing can provide accurate, real-time insight into strain, temperature, critical onboard systems and structural behavior under operational loading conditions.
FBG-based sensing offers several advantages such as immunity to electromagnetic interference, improved reliability in harsh environments such as subsea, reduced cabling weight and complexity and simple and efficient installation.
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Improving uptime
‘Naval platforms demand extremely reliable and accurate monitoring technologies,’ says Leendert-Jan Nijstad, CEO of PhotonFirst. ‘Fiber-optic sensing and integrated photonics will play an important role in the next generation of naval structural monitoring and platform health management. By providing real-time insight into structural behaviour, our technology can help improve operational uptime, mission readiness and lifecycle performance.’
Oliver Doucy, CEO of Naval Group Netherlands, adds: ‘This cooperation enables Naval Group to leverage innovative Dutch technology in our shipbuilding activities. The specialised expertise and sensing capabilities developed through this partnership will not only support submarine programmes, but also a wider range of naval vessels.’
Picture: Leendert-Jan Nijstad (PhotonFirst) and Olivier Doucy (Naval Group) (photo Naval Group).
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