French Navy press release – Translated by Naval News
For three days, the sailors simulated the loss of all modern communications systems: telephones, e-mail, secure and instant messaging. To communicate with each other, the force’s ships had no other means than high-frequency (HF) or ultra-high-frequency (UHF) radio exchanges.
Today, ships are increasingly connected to each other via satellite networks. The aim of this exercise was to reduce dependence on these communication tools and maintain the know-how of sailors who will regularly be working in areas that are not accessible by satellite link, as was the case in the 80s.
The exercise is also an integral part of our preparation for high-intensity operations. Indeed, with the extension of conflict zones to space and cyber, it is vital to train and prepare for operations in a degraded environment, notably without satellite tools, so as to be able to continue operations at sea.
During these three days, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and its escorts maintained the full range of operational activities of a force at sea: Maritime Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MISR) flights by helicopter were carried out and their content exploited. The Jacques Chevallier replenishment tanker carried out a replenishment at sea with the aircraft carrier, a maneuver requiring perfect coordination and communication between the two units. Finally a multi-mission frigate successfully carried out anti-aircraft training.
-End-
Naval News already reported about this deployment and the latest details can be found here. Naval News also interviewed Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard – Commanding Officer of the Carrier Strike Group ahead of his mission:
