Thales IFF equipment selected for French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and Horizon frigates

As part of contracts awarded by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), DCNS has selected Thales to equip the French Navy's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and the two French Horizon-class frigates with latest-generation IFF[1] identification systems. The installation of these new systems, part of Thales's BlueGate product family, will overcome the limitations of the systems currently in service and provide the vessels with an effective Mode 5 / Mode S capability. The upgrade to the latest NATO IFF standard will enable the warships to perform military missions with the highest levels of security, dependability and integrity (Mode 5), and better identify civil aircraft (Mode S).

 

 

The BlueGate IFF system was tested and validated during the international Bold Quest exercise in June 2013 in the United States. The exercise was a key milestone for Thales, providing an opportunity to demonstrate BlueGate's interoperability with allied systems, the guaranteed levels of IFF security it offers, and the fully certifiable compliance of the BlueGate family of IFF products.

 

 

BlueGate IFF systems from Thales are already installed on the French Navy's Jean-Bart anti-aircraft frigate and successfully passed Sea Acceptance Tests (SATs) in October 2013. The Jean-Bart was the first French Navy vessel with an operational Mode 5 capability, soon to be followed by the Cassard anti-aircraft frigate.

 

 

As one of the global market leaders in IFF identification, Thales provides a complete range of IFF solutions to meet the current and future needs

 

 

Of the armed forces. More than 17,000 Thales IFF products have been installed to date on 100 types of aircraft, land-based platforms and naval vessels around the world.

 

Thales signs the first Joint Integrated-In Service Support Contract for Naval & Ground Medium range Air Defence

Thales is delighted to announce the signature on July 2nd of the first Integrated In-Service Support (IISS) contract by the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAr) and Eurosam*.

This complex five-year contract of €360m, is the first joint, multisystem and multinational support contract for Naval & Ground Medium range Air Defence Systems.

Throughout the lifetime of the contract,  in-service support will be provided to three nations; France, Italy and the United Kingdom, and to five armed forces , the French Air Force, the Italian Army, the British Royal Navy and the Italian and French Navies.

As a major Eurosam stakeholder, Thales is a key player in this contract and is specifically responsible for:

The Firing Control System (SAAM-Fr) of the French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle

The Long Range Radar (S1850) of the French and Italian Horizon frigates

The Firing Control System (PAAMS) software of the French and Italian Horizon frigates

The Firing Control System of 17 French and Italian ground medium range air defence systems (SAMP/T)

All land and naval weapon systems provided to end users will benefit from this continued support for the  SAMP-T, SAAM-FR, SAAM-IT, PAAMS.

This contract will not only allow  the rationalisation of the needed industrial support capabilities  and the continued support to the armed forces for these weapons systems but also ensure the consistency of their evolution.

Commenting on this signingPhilippe Dusautoir,VP, Thales Integrated Defence Solutions, said “This is the first time a multinational support contract of this magnitude is signed to simultaneously meet the needs of the armed forces of three great powers. Levels of coordination, cohesion and preparation required to ensure that things go well are considerable and this contract is proof of the great trust placed in us and in Eurosam. We very much look forward to the challenge ahead”.

* Eurosam is a joint venture between Thales and MBDA.

Sagem and Thales create optronics joint venture, OPTROLEAD

Sagem (Safran group) and Thales have announced the creation of OPTROLEAD, an equally-owned joint venture for optronics. The official signature creating the new company follows the original Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 20, 2011.

OPTROLEADwill be responsible for the sale of future optronic systems, especially for defense applications.

The new company is staking out a position in several major programs, including the optronic payload for the planned upgrade of the French navy's Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft, the imaging system for the future French-British MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) drone, modular optronic systems for army combat vehicles, and optronics for tomorrow's helicopters.

The legal documents for the new entity were signed on July 18 by Philippe Petitcolin, Chairman and CEO of Sagem, and Serge Adrian, Chairman and CEO of Thales Optronique SA.

"We have taken an important step forward in consolidating and enhancing synergies within the French optronics industry," said Serge Adrian. "Our new company OPTROLEAD will effectively combine the leading areas of expertise of its two parent companies."

"OPTROLEAD is already capable of coordinating contracts directly with customers of Sagem and Thales," added Philippe Petitcolin. "For example, the ATL2 upgrade program could well be the first concrete application for this new entity."

Emmanuel de Roquefeuil of Thales was named Chairman of the new company, with Albert Levionnois of Sagem as Chief Executive Officer.

Sagem, a high-tech company in the Safran group, holds world or European leadership positions in optronics, avionics, electronics and safety-critical software for both civil and military markets. Sagem is the No. 1 company in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems (INS) used in air, land and naval applications. It is also the world leader in helicopter flight controls and the European leader in optronics and tactical UAV systems. Operating across the globe through the Safran group, Sagem and its subsidiaries employ 7,500 people in Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. Sagem is the commercial name of the company Sagem Défense Sécurité.

Datalink network boosts Swedish Armed Forces

The Swedish Defence Material Administration’s (FMV) partnership with Thales has enabled the delivery of a full, national Link 16 infrastructure, and new network management system (NMS), supporting the exchange of tactical data between platforms. Thales has delivered the contract, which was signed in September 2009, on schedule.

Link 16 is the secure, jam-resistant NATO-standard tactical datalink being adopted on an increasing range of platforms to support coalition operations. The system enables the initiation, control and monitoring of Link 16 networks via a new ground infrastructure.

The new Thales NMS will enable Swedish Link 16 enabled platforms to exchange tactical data in a secure manner with the Swedish national command and control system, as well as providing monitoring for frequency clearance agreements and management of the Link 16 network.

This means that Link 16 equipped tactical units can now share data in a coordinated manner and provide the military customer with a readily available and combined picture of the operational environment, using data from fighters as well as from other sources, including ground reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft.

The programme required a central NMS and a number of remote radio sites, located all over Sweden, to cover their national airspace, with Link 16 operations managed from a central location. The NMS is delivered with a Data Link Interface Processor (DLIP) featuring Joint Range Extension (JRE) and multi-MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) capabilities. The DLIP integrates into the existing Stric command and control system, providing a significantly enhanced command and control capability.

Thales’s network management system will enable Swedish Link 16 enabled platforms to use Link 16 tactical data links for secure information exchange, to improve the situational awareness picture and will act as a force multiplier for the Swedish Armed Forces.

Thales lands contract for Omani Patrol Vessels

The Singapore shipyard ST Marine and Thales Nederland have signed a contract for the delivery and installation of sensors and a combat management system that will be installed on the four Al-Ofouq class patrol vessels that are to be built for the Sultanate of Oman.

Thales will supply the Tacticos Combat Management System, the Variant surveillance radar and  the STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 radar E/O tracking system and the ESM system. Thales is also responsible for all Combat System Integration activities.

Thales Nederland CEO Gerben Edelijn says: “We are very proud to have been awarded this contract as the international competition was fierce. This says very much about Thales’ reputation and excellent technical solutions.”

This contract is a confirmation of the excellent relation Thales enjoys with the Sultanate of Oman. It reinforces Thales’ presence in the Middle East. Furthermore it adds a new shipyard to the long list of international Naval shipbuilders that Thales works with worldwide, thus widening the scope as a yard-independent Naval system supplier.

 Variant for Omani Patrol Vessels

Thales TopOwl helmet mounted sight and display selected for A400M flight tests

Thales announces that its TopOwl® HMSD (Helmet-Mounted Sight and Display) has been selected by the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR) for flight testing on board the A400M prototype. The purpose of the tests, scheduled between June 2012 and April 2013, is to confirm compatibility of HMSD with the military transport aircraft for night missions. During the campaign, A400M pilots will benefit from the integrated night vision function of the TopOwl®.

The equipment meets all the demands of latest-generation transport aircraft cockpits and ensures that the symbology and EVS (Enhanced Vision System) imagery projected on the Head Up Display are compatible with the intensified night vision imagery. TopOwl® is the only HMSD system in service to incorporate a night vision function. It offers the same performance as the latest generation of night vision goggles but provides a significantly higher level of comfort, enabling pilots to fly long missions in complete safety.

The visor-projected intensified night vision image provides excellent environmental perception and very good peripheral vision. In addition, if image tubes become saturated or fail, the pilot is able to maintain direct vision through the visor, significantly enhancing flight safety.

With more than 1,000 systems delivered to date, TopOwl® has already been selected for numerous combat helicopters and has already shown its efficiency in deep-night missions conducted by combat helicopters in Libya and Afghanistan.

Thales optronics for Australian indirect fire support program

Thales Australia has signed a contract with prime contractor Rockwell Collins Australia to deliver its market-leading optronics systems as part of a Department of Defence indirect fire support upgrade program.

A significant number of Sophie MF long range multi-function binoculars / thermal imagers and TYR laser target designators will be provided as part of the LAND 17 1B program for a Digital Terminal Control System to improve coordination and terminal control of air, naval and land fire support.

The Thales optronics sensors will be seamlessly integrated into Rockwell Collins’ Firestorm joint fires targeting system to provide a complete turnkey solution.

Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said: "We have worked very closely with Rockwell Collins Australia to provide an advanced solution that will help the Australian Defence Force enhance its offensive support systems to provide greater tactical flexibility and precision targeting capability. The Sophie family of thermal imagers is used around the world, and we have recently upgraded our optronics facilities in Australia to offer an extensive and responsive local support capability for both thermal and laser equipment.”

A world leader in the design and manufacture of thermal imagers, Thales’s Sophie family of both cooled and uncooled products meets the full spectrum of observation, surveillance, orientation and fire-control requirements of today’s defence and security forces. Nondetectable due to their passive infrared operation, Sophie systems can be used day and night and under all weather conditions. Since their introduction, over 10,000 Sophie units have been sold to more than 45 countries. There are currently around 300 Sophie units already in service with the Australian Defence Force, as well as a quantity of TYRs.

The Sophie MF is a complete acquisition, identification and location system that weighs less than 3kg. It can be used day or night, with a high resolution stabilised image, plus an eyesafe laser rangefinder, GPS and direction finder.

The TYR is a state of the art compact laser target designator that can operate in standalone applications, with forward observation sensor equipment, dismounted soldiers or vehicle mounted platforms. The TYR designates targets and provides both accurate range data and images of the laser spot on the target to allow laser-guided munitions to be accurately deployed.

Thales and ASV to develop Unmanned Minewarfare Vehicle

Thales UK has signed a contract with Autonomous Surface Vehicles Ltd (ASV Ltd) to develop a re-configurable Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) to meet the challenges of future off-board Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations.

The vessel has been jointly designed to meet a number of key requirements and drivers:

• Deployable from military platforms, craft of opportunity and from shore/harbour
• Air transportable
• Payload flexibility for all MCM systems – unmanned underwater vehicles, towed sonar,
• disposal systems, minesweeping
• Stable platform with excellent slow speed and towing capabilities
• Highly reliable & cost effective

                         

The low signature USV, which is 11.5m in length and 3.6m in beam, will have a maximum

The low signature USV, which is 11.5m in length and 3.6m in beam, will have a maximum

speed of around 25 knots. The vehicle is now under construction and will be undergoing

acceptance trials later this year. A series of payload trials will be conducted from early 2013

onwards, drawing on experience gained in previous off-board system programmes.

                         

ASV Ltd is a UK company and part of Global Fusion, a privately owned international marine services group. Formed in 1998, ASV Ltd provides rugged, reliable and effective unmanned systems using cutting edge marine technology from its operating base near Portsmouth.

Dan Hook, Managing Director at ASV, in welcoming this contract says: “We are pleased to be developing such an advanced capability with Thales UK and are confident in the system’s performance for the wide range of roles.”

Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business, says: “As the MCM capability integrator of over half the world’s in-service fleet of minehunters, Thales brings many years of experience and understanding of mine warfare operations alongside world-class sensors and systems. “As we head into an era that heralds a step change in the delivery of mine warfare, moving from dedicated MCMVs to off-board systems and sensors, Thales’s extensive capabilities in mission system integration are being brought to bear."

“The Unmanned Surface Vehicle will be central to the success of these new concepts of operation in mine warfare; being able to demonstrate and de-risk both the vehicle and its potential payloads is a clear benefit to both our customers and ourselves. We welcome the news of this contract signature with ASV as it represents a critical step towards the delivery of future off-board MCM capability

Royal Netherlands Navy and Thales sign

Today, the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization and Thales Nederland signed an agreement to modify the four SMART-L volume search radars installed on the “De Zeven Provinciën” class air defence and command frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The new SMART-L radar will be optimized for the early detection of ballistic missiles.

SMART-L will be able to detect ballistic missiles shortly after their launch. It has this early warning capability simultaneously with its traditional air defence capability. SMART-L will be able to detect and track several threats simultaneously and make an accurate calculation of each missile’s ballistic trajectory, and accurately estimate its point of impact as well as its launch position. SMART-L is a volume search radar that scans large volumes of the air space so that it can detect missiles without external cues.

The SMART-L and its sister, the S1850M Long Range Radar are used by the navies from Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and South Korea. All these radars could in principle profit from the modification package contracted by the Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organisation.

Gerben Edelijn, CEO of Thales Nederland: “This contract confirms our leading position world-wide in naval sensor technology and system integration. Through this contract we support NATO’s long-term plans for a maritime defence against ballistic missiles.”

Russia Buys A Tech Edge

A Russian firm has obtained another license from French firm Thales Optronics to manufacture thermal imagers. The Russians have been manufacturing the older Catherine FC thermal imager for several years now. This 5.5 kg (11 pound) device can detect armored vehicles ten kilometers away in any weather. The new license allows manufacture of the new Catherine XP imager. This 3 kg (6.5 pound) device has longer range and greater sensitivity than the FC model.

Five years ago Russia ended a 70 year old tradition of not buying foreign (or at least Western) weapons. At that time Russia purchased a hundred of the Catherine FC thermal imaging systems for Russian T-90 tanks. This was just the beginning, as Russia also began manufacturing the thermal imagers under license.

Although the communists sought to become self-sufficient in weapons, after they took over in 1917, it was another two decades before that became a fact. Up until the 1930s, the Soviet Union would buy or license military technology from the West. But after that, they stole what they could, and insisted that all their weapons were nothing but Russian technology. This was never the case, and when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russia began selling, and buying, technology. Some foreign tech began showing up in Russian weapons systems. The Russians are admitting that they, like most industrialized countries, are willing to buy military technology they need, from whoever can offer the best terms. The Russians are also eager to buy manufacturing licenses as well and increase the manufacturing capabilities of Russian firms.