The French defense ministry’s integrated structure for through-life support of aeronautical equipment (SIMMAD) has awarded Thales the contract to support its equipment on board the Rafale aircraft in service with the French Air Force and French Navy. Under the terms of the contract, Thales is responsible for supporting the Rafale’s phased array radar, electronic warfare system, avionics, optronics and communication systems.
France will undertake operational assessments and trials of the Thales Watchkeeper unmanned air system (UAS) in 2012 and 2013, with a view to cooperating with the UK on Europe’s most advanced tactical UAS system.
The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales the development contract for the CONTACT programme, which is designed to equip the majority of the French forces’ platforms with next-generation tactical radios incorporating innovative software-defined radio technology.
Thales and Nokia Siemens Networks have a MOU covering the EMEA region, which aims to provide a broadband LTE solution for high speed data communication to Professional Mobile Radio users.
The largest tactical unmanned air system in Europe was announced as a key pillar of a broad Anglo-French defence cooperation as the French Government confirmed its interest in working with the UK to develop Thales UK’s Watchkeeper.
The first of the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Type 45 destroyers, HMS Daring, has set sail on operational duty fitted with Thales UK’s new fully digital radar electronic support measures (RESM) system.
Thales has signed an agreement to acquire Tampa Microwave, a privately held company specializing in tactical satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals and related products for government and commercial customers.