OSI Maritime Systems nav system integration for U.K. frigates completes review 

A critical design review for the integration of a navigation system into a new type of frigates for the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy was recently completed.

Burnaby, B.C.-based OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) reported that its Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS) was integrated into the Integrated Bridge System (IBS) of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.

The integration is part of a program to replace the navy’s Type 23 frigates with eight Type 26 Global Combat Ships.  The ships will undertake three core roles: defence, maritime security, and international engagement.

“This complex and difficult integration will be carried out exclusively for the Royal Navy and the Type 26 program,” said Ken Kirkpatrick, president and chief executive officer of OSI.  “The RN’s decision to replace the OEM ECDIS embedded in the IBS, with ECPINS, underlines the capability delivered by our navigation and tactical software and its tremendous utility as a NATO STANAG 4564 complaint application.”

ECPINS is independently certified against NATO WECDIS STANAG 4564 and can be delivered as a standalone WECDIS solution or embedded in OSI’s warship IBS solution, Integrated Navigation & Tactical System (INTS).

OSI is a pioneer of Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (WECDIS). The company develops and delivers integrated bridge systems for warships, integrated dived navigation systems for submarines and C2 systems for small craft.

OSI currently has 20 naval customers from around the world with over 600 warships and submarines operating with its world leading integrated navigation and tactical solutions.

“Integrating into a third-party IBS architecture inevitably leads to compromise, such as non-compliance with INS standards and never quite unlocking the full utility of ECPINS,” said Kirkpatrick.  “In comparison, OSI’s INTS is based upon a fully IMO compliant Integrated Navigation System and is the only IBS/INS that includes the IMO compliant use of ECPINS.”

INTS is purpose-built for warship retrofits or new builds and has third-party Marine Equipment Directive (MED) Type Approval certification as an Integrated Navigation System (INS).

INTS is being delivered to multiple navies, and in combination with ECPINS, provides one of the most complete warship navigation and tactical systems available.