ThalesRaytheonSystems Awarded $21.8 Million to Modernize U.S. Army AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radars

ThalesRaytheonSystems Awarded $21.8 Million to Modernize U.S. Army AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radars
June 14, 2010

FULLERTON, Calif., and PARIS, - ThalesRaytheonSystems has been awarded a $21.8 million contract by the U.S. Army to upgrade multiple AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air defense radar systems. This award is an option to the existing upgrade contract originally awarded in June 2007.

The contract will upgrade the U.S. Army Sentinel radar transmitters, receivers and exciters and increase functional capabilities such as faster data processing and greater detection range for smaller targets. Additional capabilities will also help minimize instances of fratricide and accidental counter-missile firing and facilitate a transition to defense-force mobility.

"The latest system enhancements will benefit the warfighter by providing earlier threat detection," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer, ThalesRaytheonSystems, U.S. Operations. "It will also prepare the Sentinel for future missions such as special events protection, air traffic control and general homeland defense."

Upgrade work will be performed in El Paso, Texas, and Fullerton, Calif.

The Sentinel radar is the premier air surveillance and target acquisition and tracking sensor for the U.S. Army's Cruise Missile Defense Systems program. The radar's primary mission is to protect maneuver forces and critical assets from cruise missile, unmanned aerial vehicles, and rotary- and fixed-wing threats. The Sentinel accurately acquires targets far enough forward of friendly troops to provide sufficient reaction time for air defense weapons to engage at optimum ranges. More than 200 Sentinel radars are currently deployed by military forces worldwide.

About ThalesRaytheonSystems

Formed nine years ago, ThalesRaytheonSystems is an international company specializing in air defense systems, command and control systems, 3D air defense radars, battlefield and counter-battery radars. The company employs 1,600 people and is equally owned by Raytheon and Thales.

Technorati Tags:
Contract win, Radar, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), US Army, Thales

ThalesRaytheonSystems Receives Follow-on Contract for U.S. Army Sentinel Radar Support

ThalesRaytheonSystems Receives Follow-on Contract for U.S. Army Sentinel Radar Support
March 29, 2010

FULLERTON, Calif., -- ThalesRaytheonSystems has been awarded a $12.5 million follow-on contract for its AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air defense radar Life Cycle Contractor Support (LCCS) program.

This multiyear option contract will continue through 2011. ThalesRaytheonSystems provides the U.S. Army with logistics, technical and maintenance support for more than 140 Sentinel radars deployed worldwide.

In 2009, the Sentinel LCCS program achieved an average readiness rating of more than 96 percent. The U.S. Army's entire fleet of AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radars, including those in use 24/7 during wartime theaters of operation, was assessed on the availability of repair parts, and required maintenance and personnel. The LCCS program provides system improvements and support to reduce Army program costs through an integrated system of on-site contractor field engineering and return-and-repair support.

"Our main objective is to sustain Army Sentinel operational readiness," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer, ThalesRaytheonSystems, U.S. Operations. "LCCS maintains the radars for our soldiers while lowering both manpower requirements and maintenance costs."

The U.S. Army AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air defense radar system protects maneuver forces and other critical assets from cruise missile, unmanned aerial vehicles, and rotary- and fixed- wing threats.

Technorati Tags:
Contract $20m, Contract Win, Radars, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), Thales (HO:PA)

UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: Super fast missile system gets new lease of life

UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: Super fast missile system gets new lease of life
23 January 2009

The super fast Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) system used by the Army and Royal Marines is to get a new lease life for the next 13 years thanks to a £200m contact with Thales UK, announced today by Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies.

The Starstreak HVM is a close air defence system with an advanced laser-guided weapon which flies at more than three times the speed of sound and is designed to counter threats from very-high-performance, low-flying aircraft and fast 'pop-up' strikes by helicopter attacks.
The HVM can be fired from the shoulder, from a lightweight multiple launcher or from the Stormer armoured vehicle.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies said:
"This is an important contract with Thales UK as it ensures the availability of the High Velocity Missile, a crucial weapon system for the Armed Forces. Through this £200M contract we are sustaining technologies in the UK Industry that are important for our future defence needs and sustaining up to 100 vital jobs over the next decade. I am committed to providing our Armed Forces with the best possible equipment to deal with a wide range of potential operations."

Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, Director General Weapons, Defence Equipment & Support added:
"This support arrangement will reduce the cost of ownership of HVM while also providing the ability to transition from peacetime to planned or unplanned operations. Air Defence Availability Project
(ADAPT) is fully consistent with the wider MoD initiative for the Complex Weapons (CW) sector and we are pleased to be entering into a long term arrangement with one of our Team Complex Weapons players"
Thales UK, based at Belfast in Northern Ireland, makes the weapons in a hi-tech plant that employs over 500 people. Some 50-100 jobs are expected to be sustained by this contract over the next decade helping them to retain their expertise in the complex weapons arena.

Steve Hill, Vice President and Managing Director of Thales UK air systems business said:
"The ADAPT contract is key to sustaining our current levels of employment and will provide us with an opportunity to move into the area of Through Life Capability Management - an area which is becoming increasingly important for defence contracting. This also is a great endorsement of the UK Defence Industrial Strategy which facilitates longer term relationships between key suppliers and the MOD."
Ends

Notes to editors
1. The Starstreak HVM uses a system of three dart-like projectiles, allowing multiple hits on the target. The missile has been in service for 12 years.
2. HVM ADAPT will support our troops over 13 years. The contract is termed ADAPT which stands for Air Defence Availability Project and covers the complete weapon system including the vehicles.

Technorati Tags:
Contract $200m+, Contract Win, Missiles, Thales (HO:PA)

Dick Berlijn in Supervisory Board of Thales Nederland

Dick Berlijn in Supervisory Board of Thales Nederland
05 January 2009

General (retd.) Dick Berlijn has been appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board of Thales Nederland B.V.

Dick Berlijn started his career in the Netherlands Armed Forces as a jet fighter pilot in the Air Force. He resigned in April 2008 as Commander of the Armed Forces.

Thales Nederland is pleased that General (retd.) Dick Berlijn is prepared to make his unique qualities available to the company. He will bring his vast operational knowledge and his extensive international network.

Another change in Thales Nederland's Supervisory Board is the resignation of Ms Isabelle Azemard, Vice President Northern Europe of the Thales Group. She will be replaced by Bruno Rambaud, Executive Vice President of Thales, in charge of Continental Europe, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia.

About Dick Berlijn
D.L. (Dick) Berlijn was born in Amsterdam on 18 March 1950. He started his military career in 1969 at the Royal Military Academy. He flew in various types of jet airplanes and held a number of commanding position in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. In 1992 he was appointed commanding officer of Twenthe Airbase and in 1993 he was in charge of the first F16 detachment on an international mission. In 2000 he was appointed Air Force Commander and in 2004 Head of Defence Staff. As of 5 September 2005 General Berlijn held the position of Commander of the Armed Forces. In April 2008 he left the Defence organization.

About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales' leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion. Thales Nederland, established in 1922, is one of the leading companies in integrated naval systems for surveillance, weapon control, combat management and system integration world-wide.

Technorati Tags:
Appointments, Thales (HO:PA)

Thales`s WATCHKEEPER successfully passes first system flight trial

Thales`s WATCHKEEPER successfully passes first system flight trial
24 November 2008

Thales UK today announces the successful first system flight trials of the WATCHKEEPER unmanned air vehicle (UAV), with the autonomous flight taking place under the system guidance of the WATCHKEEPER ground control software and fully integrated within the ground control station (GCS).
These trials of the UAV, which operates with dual payloads, will continue into 2009, and will validate the key mission system capability of the WATCHKEEPER system.

This is another significant step forward in the WATCHKEEPER programme and follows closely from the first successful flight trials of the WATCHKEEPER air vehicle in April 2008 and the demonstration of the WATCHKEEPER Automatic Take-Off and landing (ATOL) capability in August 2008

The control software has been produced by Thales UK at its Crawley facility. The GCS has been designed and manufactured in the UK by UAV Tactical Systems Ltd (U-TacS), the Thales UK/Elbit Systems joint company site in Leicester.

During the first successful flight trials at Elbit's facilities in Israel, the WATCHKEEPER UAV was controlled by the WATCHKEEPER GCS using Thales-developed software and performed an automatic take-off and landing. This initial stage of systems trials will provide an essential link between the various sub-system level trials and the full WATCHKEEPER systems trials to be undertaken in the UK next year.

The WATCHKEEPER system test programme includes:

* System command and control of UAV from WATCHKEEPER GCS
* Initial assessment of system data link performance
* Dual payload installation
* Generation and exploitation of payload imagery (the ‘imagery chain')
* WATCHKEEPER avionics system trials (IFF and airborne radio assessment)
* Further systems ATOLS assessment
* Electrical power system performance with dual payloads installed

Mark Barclay, Managing Director of Thales UK's aerospace business, says: "This is another major step forward on the WATCHKEEPER programme and one of a number of trials that are scheduled over the coming months. We have made steady progress since the contract was signed in 2005 and I am particularly pleased that Thales and our external partners continue to deliver in line with the agreed customer schedule. "

- Ends -

Notes to editors

WATCHKEEPER will provide the UK armed forces with an essential Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, and will be a key component of the UK's network enabled capability (NEC). Thales UK, as Prime Contractor for the WATCHKEEPER programme, will deliver equipment, training and facilities, with the capability planned to enter service from 2010.

Production of the WATCHKEEPER system will take place at U-TacS (UAV Tactical Systems Ltd), the Thales UK and Elbit Systems joint company, based in Leicester.

Technorati Tags:
Thales (HO:PA), UAV, UK MoD, Watchkeeper

Thales HF Radio Communications System Selected by U.S. Coast Guard

Thales HF Radio Communications System Selected by U.S. Coast Guard

20 November 2008
Now the "Gold Standard" for Coast Guard Cutters.
Thales Communications, Inc., announces the selection of its medium-powered, High-Frequency Automated Link Establishment (HF-ALE) radio communications system by the U.S. Coast Guard for incorporation into new cutter acquisition contracts for the next five to seven years.

The Coast Guard's standardization with Thales is a follow-on to Thales's participation in an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract competitively awarded in 2005 under which Thales HF radio systems are being used to upgrade the Coast Guard's In-Service cutters with advanced HF-ALE capabilities. Under that IDIQ contract, Thales's systems are being integrated on the Coast Guard's fleet of 75 cutters of varying classes, including High and Medium Endurance Cutters (378-foot, 282-foot, 270-foot, and 210-foot) and the Polar Icebreaker fleet.

In fulfillment of these new requirements, the Thales HF-ALE radio system will be integrated on the SENTINEL Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC) and Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC), as well as other Cutter and shore communications acquisition programs with medium-powered (up to 1KW) HF and HF-ALE requirements. With the HF standardization of Thales's equipment throughout the fleet, the Coast Guard will realize immediate savings in procurement costs, life-cycle maintenance, HF-ALE network management, and training.

Designed to be used in multi-service tactics, this commercial off-the-shelf equipment is certified by the Joint Interoperability Test Command, which is the Defense Information Systems Agency's testing and evaluation organization, and is interoperable and fully compliant with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration standards on HF-ALE. Thales's medium-power HF solution provides the Coast Guard with maximum flexibility and the latest integrated and networked shipborne HF technology that supports the newest generation waveforms. Thales's modularly designed, dual-channel HF radios provide size and weight reductions over In-Service equipment and, with a variety of control applications, allow the Coast Guard the ability to remotely control the Thales HF system from multiple locations, maximizing operational flexibility and reducing workload.

"The Coast Guard has determined this effort to be in the best interests of the U.S. Government," said Aaron Brosnan, Director of Naval/Maritime Programs at Thales Communications. "They have deemed our HF system to be a proven, ‘extremely capable, highly reliable and easy to maintain radio that exceeds Coast Guard requirements'. We look forward to continuing our service to the Coast Guard in the years to come."

In further support of its Coast Guard and U.S. Navy customers, Thales Communications is shifting the production of core components of Thales's shipborne HF communications systems from Thales UK to Thales Communications' Maryland manufacturing facilities. This transfer of manufacturing means reduced manufacturing costs and significant savings to the U.S. Government.

Technorati Tags:
Thales (HO:PA), US Coast Guard (USCG)

Successful first test firing of Thales' new Laser-Guided Air-to-Ground Rocket

Successful first test firing of Thales' new Laser-Guided Air-to-Ground Rocket
12 November 2008

On 8 October, TDA, a Thales subsidiary specialized in combat systems and munitions, successfully fired its first laser-guided rocket, as part of a DGA (French Defense Procurement Agency) assessment program. Conducted at the CELM[1] test center, the test firing was the first of a series planned for 2008 and 2009. The operational objective for the French armed forces - Army and Air Force - is to have, by 2013, a 68mm rocket that can hit targets with "metric precision" and reduced collateral effects.

At stake in the program was validation of the performance of a 68-mm laser-guided rocket for use in the same launchers as the unguided air-to-ground rocket of the same caliber now widely used on TIGRE helicopters. Intended in particular to hit lightly armored fixed and mobile targets and infrastructure, this new type of high-precision rocket will complete the existing line of munitions, already capable of performing numerous missions such as:

- Close fire support,

- Search and destroy missions of enemy ground-to-air defense,

- Surveillance and coastal defense against light craft,

- Target marking for the artillery

In addition to its integrated laser-designation guidance/control system, the new rocket includes the same advanced technological features as the unguided rocket, among them the programming, ignition by induction and tamperproofing functions.

According to Guy Lefebvre, CEO of Thales TDA: "This new rocket with its metric precision will reduce the vulnerability of the carriers while greatly increasing the airborne destruction capability, all for a much lower cost than a missile. In short, it perfectly meets the new needs of the armed forces."

In 2006, Thales had already fired rockets with GPS-enhanced accuracy, in the 68-mm and 2.75" (70mm) caliber. Having succeeded at 68 mm, Thales is now in a position to assess, with its Belgian subsidiary, a 2.75" laser-guided rocket concept. A firing with this caliber is scheduled for mid-November.

Technorati Tags:
Helicopter, Missiles, Thales (HO:PA)

Thales Alenia Space shipped SICRAL 1B to launch site

Thales Alenia Space shipped SICRAL 1B to launch site
14 November 2008

SICRAL 1B will provide strategic and tactical communications services for the Italian armed forces, in Italy and abroad, as well as ensuring mobile communications with land, naval and air platforms.

Cannes, November 14, 2008 - The SICRAL 1B satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor, has now completed integration and testing, and has been shipped to its launch site. Launch is scheduled for January 2009.

SICRAL 1B will provide strategic and tactical communications services for the Italian armed forces, in Italy and abroad, as well as ensuring mobile communications with land, naval and air platforms. It will also provide NATO forces with UHF and SHF satcom capabilities, based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2004 by the Italian, French and British ministries of defence and the Atlantic Alliance.

In addition to its role as satellite prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for parts of the ground segment, including the Telecommunications Control Center in Vigna di Valle, Italy.

The construction of the satellite reflected the strong teamwork between Thales Alenia Space's Italian and French entities, with SICRAL 1B being integrated at the Turin plant, while environmental testing was carried out in Cannes. The Satellite Integration Center in Rome produced the payload, which comprises one EHF/Ka-band, three UHF-band and five active SHF-band transponders.

Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space Italy have teamed up, within the scope of the Space Alliance between Finmeccanica and Thales, to take charge of the satellite launch and early orbit phase (LEOP), and to complete the ground segment (Satellite Control Centers in Vigna di Valle and Fucino).

"We are especially proud of our work on the SICRAL 1B satellite, since we were able to meet a challenging series of requirements in a fast-paced international marketplace," said Luigi Pasquali, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italia. "Now we are getting ready for the launch, while at the same time continuing the development of the follow-on SICRAL 2 satellite."

SICRAL 1B is designed to meet the evolving requirements of the Italian defence ministry and NATO, and will work in tandem with the first SICRAL satellite, launched in 2001.

SICRAL 1B's design life stretches from 2009 to 2021, and it will be joined by SICRAL 2, expected to be in service as of 2012.

Technorati Tags:
Italy, Space Systems, Thales (HO:PA)

Thales Alenia Space to supply electronics for Spain's Ingenio observation satellite

Thales Alenia Space to supply electronics for Spain's Ingenio observation satellite

14 November 2008
Scheduled for launch in 2012, Ingenio is Spain's first Earth observation satellite and the first to be built by a consortium of Spanish companies.

Cannes, November 14, 2008 - Thales Alenia Space announced today that its Spanish subsidiary, Thales Alenia Space España, has been awarded a 17 million euro contract by Sener, the payload prime contractor, to supply the electronics for the optical observation Instrument on the Ingenio satellite. Ingenio's primary mission is to ensure regular coverage of emerged areas to deliver high-resolution images to a wide array of users.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Spanish government CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology) signed in 2007 an initial contract for the development of an optical Earth observation satellite, to be financed by Spain and built by a Spanish industrial consortium. The consortium includes EADS CASA Espacio as satellite prime contractor, Sener for the primary optical instrument and Thales Alenia Space España to develop and supply all electronics for the instrument. Additionally, Thales Alenia Space España is also separately in charge of the development and delivery of the X- and S-band communications subsystems to prime contractor.

Scheduled for launch in 2012, Ingenio is Spain's first Earth observation satellite and the first to be built by a consortium of Spanish companies. Offering a design life of seven years, the satellite will feature an optical imager with 2.5-meter resolution in black & white, and
10-meter resolution in color, reflecting Thales Alenia Space's proven expertise in optical Earth observation technologies.

For the primary payload, Thales Alenia Space España will design, develop, manufacture, test and deliver to Sener the fully validated flight model instrument electronics, including both Panchromatic and Multispectral Detection Units, and the associated Instrument Service Unit. The contract also includes supply of the detection unit GSE* and EGSE** for Assembly, Integration & Testing (AIT) of the complete instrument.

Commenting on this contract, Angel Post, Thales Alenia Space España's CEO said: "We are delighted and proud to have won this contract, since it reflects Sener's and CDTI's confidence in our company, and our excellent teamwork and joint leadership in optical observation satellite equipment. The development of the Ingenio program is a major step forward for Spain, since it gives us an outstanding opportunity to develop our national expertise, by assuming complete responsibility for the development and construction of the optical Earth observation payload."

* GSE: Ground Support Equipment
** EGSE: Electrical Ground Support Equipment

About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio embody the two groups' "Space Alliance". Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard in solutions for space telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. The company has a total of 7,200 employees and 11 industrial sites, with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

About Thales Alenia Space España
Thales Alenia Space España, the Spanish subsidiary of Thales Alenia Space, is a world leader in S-band TT&C subsystems, a recognized supplier of passive RF equipment and a pioneer in onboard processing components and subsystems. It has already contributed to more than 100 communication, optical and radar Earth observation, science and navigation satellite programs, as well as space infrastructures.

Technorati Tags:
Space Systems, Thales (HO:PA), Spain

Thales: Strong growth intake and higher revenues at 30 september 2008

Thales: Strong growth intake and higher revenues at 30 september 2008
31 October 2008

• Exceptional charge of about 60 million euros on A400M programme planned in second half figures.
  

• Revenues at 30 September: €8.3 billion, up 7% on a like-for-like basis and with constant exchange rates
  

• Order intake at 30 September: €9.0 billion, a sharp increase of 23% on a like-for-like basis and with constant exchange rates, with several major contracts booked in Europe
  

• Confirmed objective of a 6% organic1 growth in revenues in 2008
  

• EBIT objective impacted by a provision of about €60m related to A400M programme.
  

Technorati Tags:
Financial Results, Thales (HO:PA)

Minister of State for Defence Equipment & Support (Min DE&S), Quentin Davies MP, has today visited Thales UK in Glasgow

The Minister of State for Defence Equipment & Support (Min DE&S), Quentin Davies MP, has today visited Thales UK in Glasgow to see some of the special equipment developed by Thales that has recently been sent into theatre to deliver `battle-winning`capability for the UK Armed Forces.

Accompanied by Victor Chavez, Deputy CEO Thales UK and local senior managers, the Minister was given a briefing on Thales UK, its defence businesses in Glasgow, the importance of the site to Scotland and an overview of programmes undertaken at the site.

The Minister also met a range of Thales employees, including Trade Union representatives, apprentices, graduates who have recently joined the company and employees who been with the company for over 30 years.

Victor Chavez, Deputy CEO Thales UK, says: "We are delighted that Quentin Davies has been able to visit us in Glasgow so early in his tenure as Min DE&S and also as we celebrate our 120th anniversary in Glasgow. Glasgow is one of Thales's largest sites in the UK and a key part of the Thales Group globally. We are proud to have supported the Armed Forces from Glasgow since 1888 and the MoD remains our most important customer. We were excited to be able to show him some of the cutting edge technology developed here in Glasgow and the significant investment we are making in Scotland."

The Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, commented: "It is important that I visited Thales early in my tour of Scottish defence companies as it has a long and prestigious history of supply to the Armed Forces and is active in supporting current operations. I was impressed with the investment Thales is making in people, facilities and the development of its business through the Thales Scottish Technology Prize."

Some 650 of Thales UK's 9,000 work force are based at the Glasgow site. The company is an important source of high-tech, high-skill employment in the region and this year has recruited 103 people, including a high number of engineers.

- Ends -

Notes to editors
Thales in Scotland: Thales UK is this year commemorating its 120th anniversary in Scotland. First established in Scotland in 1888 when Professor Archibald Barr of the University of Glasgow and Dr William Stroud of Yorkshire College (now Leeds University) set up Barr & Stroud Ltd to make optical range-finders for the British Army, the company has gone on to become a world centre of excellence for electro-optical systems and equipment, principally for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the international export market. In 2001 it became part of the Thales Group.

In Scotland Thales is a major player in the defence industry and operates at all levels of supply to the MoD from its range of sites. The optronics business in Govan, Glasgow is our principal facility in Scotland employing 650 people across a range of high-tech skills. This site designs and manufactures world-leading electro-optic night vision systems and equipment for all three UK Armed Services.

The Glasgow site has a unique 90-year heritage of exclusive sole UK supplier of periscopes and optronic masts for Royal Navy's submarines, and has also supplied most of the UK's armoured fighting vehicles such as Challenger 2, Warrior and Scimitar vehicles with night vision equipment such as BGTI (Battle Group Thermal Imaging) systems. These vehicles are currently on active service providing our troops with, in many instances, life-saving protective capabilities. The site also manufactures reconnaissance pods, and Infra-Red Search & Track for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Some 30% of employees at the Glasgow facility are engineers and scientists. This site also has an active apprenticeship programme with disciplines including electrical and mechanical engineering.

Thales engages with schools within the Glasgow area to help fulfil its apprenticeship requirements and extends this to include site visits and student placements/work experience to help generate interest in engineering as a future career. We also provide financial support to schools within the immediate area of the site. Similarly, Scottish Universities are normally our first port of call for high-quality graduates to help satisfy our long-term engineering requirements. We have an ongoing and developing dialogue with these Universities to establish potential future partnerships, especially in the areas of engineering skills for product design and development to support our high-technology business. For example we have recently launched the Thales Scottish Technology Prize with Scottish Universities to identify further opportunities for collaborative working between Thales and universities in Scotland.
(www.scottishtechnologyprize.com)

Thales also operates as a service provider at a number of MoD sites in Scotland, including simulator- and classroom-based military training services at RAF Leuchars for the Tornado F3, at Lossiemouth for the Tornado GR4 and at Kinloss for the Nimrod MR2. Contracted under a PFI arrangement, these services represent a 30-year plus investment in providing military training services and jobs for the MoD in Scotland by Thales.

With currently more than 700 employees in the defence sector in Scotland, Thales has generated more than £650m in sales between 2000 and the end of 2006. Through direct employment or through partnership supplier arrangements with local SMEs, Thales has re-invested more than £250m of business back into the Scottish economy during this period. Thales contribution to the Scottish economy is projected to rise significantly, in relative terms, to more than £550m over the next four years alone.

About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales' leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues in excess of £8.3 bn.

Thales UK employs 9,000 staff based at more than 50 locations. In 2007 Thales UK's revenues were over £1.2 bn.

Thales selected by Royal Norwegian Navy for the delivery of a Mine Counter Measure Software Package

Thales selected by Royal Norwegian Navy for the delivery of a Mine Counter Measure Software Package
30 October 2008

After signing a contract for the replacement of the hull-mounted sonar of the Oksoy and Alta-class Mine Counter Measure vessels on 30th March 2007, Thales is now selected by the Royal Norwegian Navy for the delivery of the MCM C2 Software package.

Thales, as Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace's partner for this contract, will deliver a solution allowing the Norwegian Navy to efficiently plan and execute mine countermeasure missions.

"I am glad that the Norwegian Navy be provided with the most advanced capability to perform mine-countermeasure operations" says Guy Baruchel, director Underwater Systems within Thales's Naval division. "This contract is the result of a 20-year cooperation between Thales, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and the Norwegian Authorities".

The TSM2061 Mk III Command & Control software package is derived from the successful TSM 2061 Mk III family. It implements the most advanced algorithms necessary to counter modern mine threats efficiently. The TSM2061 Mk III family is already sea proven and in service on the French Navy's modernised CMTs (Chasseur de Mine Tripartites) and will soon be delivered in Asia as part of an upgrade programme of Mine Countermeasure Vessels.

This new contract will significantly enlarge the TSM2061 Mk III community of users and further consolidates the position of Thales's underwater systems as a world leader in the MCM systems domain.

Thales carries out first successful vertical firing of VL-VT1 Naval Crotale

Thales carries out first successful vertical firing of VL-VT1 Naval Crotale

27 October 2008
Thales successfully completed the firing of a VT1 missile from a DNCS SYLVERâ A35 vertical launcher. This first vertical firing of Naval Crotale system, led by a joint Thales-DCNS team, took place at the French Procurement Agency's Firing Range at Biscarrosse.

The new technical features of the VT1-VL naval Crotale were clearly demonstrated with this firing: ejection of the VT1 missile from SYLVER launcher, vertical take-off as well as the tip-off according to the controlled trajectory.

Following the successful completion of these steps and more than 300 successful VT1 flights in different locations around the world, the potential of VT1-VL Naval Crotale has now been confirmed. This firing, which was achieved at the first attempt, clearly shows that Thales has reached an important milestone in the development of the VT1-VL Naval Crotale. The successful firing is also a demonstration of the excellent cooperation that exists between the joint Thales-DCNS team.

Note to editors:
The Crotale system family is a short range air defence weapon system which is available in land and naval versions. It is in service in France, Finland, Oman, South Korea and other countries. The latest versions are equipped with the hypervelocity VT1 missile that ensures air target kill against any type of threat.

The SYLVER launcher family is a DCNS naval vertical launcher that equips six navies around the world, including France, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Technorati Tags:
Missiles, Naval Systems, Thales (HO:PA), DCNS

Boeing Launches Third Italian Earth Observation Satellite

Boeing Launches Third Italian Earth Observation Satellite

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Oct. 24, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today successfully launched the third of four Italian Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO) SkyMed spacecraft.

A Delta II rocket procured from United Launch Alliance for Thales Alenia Space Italia lifted off at 7:28 p.m. pacific time from Pad SLC-2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The COSMO-SkyMed spacecraft was deployed to low-Earth orbit approximately 58 minutes after liftoff.
"The third successful Delta launch for the COSMO-SkyMed program further strengthens Boeing's continued commitment to provide domestic and international commercial customers reliable access to space for science, defense and telecommunications services," said Ken Heinly, director of Boeing Launch Products & Services, and president of Boeing Launch Services, Inc.

Boeing Launch Services successfully launched the first two COSMO-SkyMed satellites in June and December of 2007.

Thales Alenia Space Italia developed the COSMO-SkyMed program for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence. It is an end-to-end Earth observation dual-use (civil and military) system comprised of four medium-sized satellites and supporting ground stations for orbit control systems and data reception and processing. The system will take imagery of the Earth using an X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument capable of operating in all visibility conditions at the request of institutional and commercial users, including members of the civil and scientific, and defense communities.

Boeing has a close business alliance with Thales Alenia Space. The European company has provided Delta II tanks since 2001 and built many elements for the International Space Station (ISS), including the Multi-purpose Pressurized Logistics Modules, Cupola and Harmony Node 2. Boeing is the prime contractor for the ISS.

Boeing Launch Services is a customer-focused subsidiary that provides business development, sales, procurement and program management of Delta launch services for commercial customers. It is part of the Space Exploration division of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and is based in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Technorati Tags:
Boeing (NYSE:BA), Space Systems, Thales (HO:PA), Italy

Thales completes nCipher acquisition

Thales completes nCipher acquisition

               nCipher is a leading supplier of encryption products

13 October 2008
Thales today announces that its acquisition of nCipher PLC (NCH.L), purchased for £50.7 million in cash, became effective on Friday 10 October.

nCipher is a leading supplier of encryption products for organizations that need to protect sensitive data. nCipher is delivering solutions in the fields of key management and cryptographic hardware. nCipher operates a network of partners and offices in the UK, Europe, the Asia Pacific region and the USA, with customers including government, financial institutions and enterprises.

The acquisition develops further Thales's information and communications systems security business by combining the complementary expertise of the two companies in order to broaden Thales's encryption products portfolio and expand our Professional Services offering. It will also add nCipher's network of regional offices to Thales's international network, thereby creating a wider distribution base.

Alex Dorrian, CEO Thales UK and EVP Thales International Operations, says: "Following the successful acquisition of nCipher, we are now set to start the integration of the two businesses. We are looking forward to welcoming the nCipher employees into the Thales family and to strengthening Thales's leadership in the information and communication security market."

Olivier Houssin, EVP Thales Security and Services, says: "The nCipher acquisition will enhance the combined group's reputation as one of the most technologically advanced players in the information and communication systems security market. By integrating nCipher, Thales will have the industry's most complete information security portfolio securing mission critical data."

Notes to editors
Thales is one of the world leaders in the provision of information and communication systems, security solutions for government, defence, critical infrastructure operators, enterprises and the finance industry. Thales's unique position in the market is due to its end-to-end security offering spanning the entire value chain in the security domain. Offers range from consulting, architecture design, security and encryption product development, evaluation and certification preparation, to through-life management services

Thales has 40 years of unrivalled track record in protecting information from "Sensitive But Unclassified" up to "TOP SECRET" and a comprehensive portfolio of security products and services, which includes network security products, application security products and secured telephony products. In the financial world, Thales secures value bearing transactions, data preparation for card and PIN issuing, and provides advanced user and message authentication solutions supported by secure identity management and token issuing.

Thales's new complete broad product portfolio of security appliances & associated software for securing mission critical data includes: application security (Data security and key management, payment security and authentication and Identity), network security (Layer 2 and Layer 3 IP encryption) and secured telephony (Voice Over IP, GSM/3G).

nCipher currently has offices in the United Kingdom (Cambridge), the USA (Stoneham, MA and Milpitas, CA), the Asia Pacific Region (Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo), France and Germany.

About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Defence, Aerospace and Security markets worldwide. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22 000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68 000 people in 50 countries with revenues in 2007 of € 12.3 billion

Technorati Tags:
Acquisition, Thales

Thales UK today announces some changes to its senior management team, with effect from 1 October 2008.

Thales UK today announces some changes to its senior management team, with effect from 1 October 2008.

October 9th, 2008 -- John Howe, currently Thales UK's Vice-Chairman, will be retiring at the end of January 2009 following 8 years in the position. As a result of this Victor Chavez has been appointed to the role of Deputy CEO for Thales UK in addition to his current respon sibilities for Business Development, Sales and Marketing. Victor will report directly to Alex Dorrian, CEO Thales UK.

Sam Keayes is appointed Vice President - External Affairs and Strategy for Thales UK, expanding on his currently role as UK Strategy Director.

John Howe will continue to support the company, taking up the position of Non-Executive Director of the UK Advisory Board in January 2009, reporting to Lord Roger Freeman, Chairman.

Alex Dorrian, CEO Thales UK, says: "I am pleased that John Howe remains part of our senior advisory team and wish him well in his new role as Non-Executive Director. He has played an immensely valuable role in the development of our strong position in the UK market."

"My congratulations to both Victor and Sam on their new roles. I am confident that the new management team will continue to drive the innovation and excellence that under pins our success in the UK and to help to shape our future strategy and growth."

- Ends -

Thales awarded second phase of sonar support contract

Thales awarded second phase of sonar support contract

15 September 2008
Thales UK's naval business has today agreed terms, worth £134 million, for the second phase of its 10-year contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the in-service support of all Royal Navy (RN) major sonar systems.
The contract, awarded to Thales UK's underwater systems business in 2003, is aimed at delivering equipment availability for several of the major sonar systems in service with the Royal Navy.

These now include sonar 2054 fitted to the Vanguard-class submarines, sonar 2076 / 2074 fitted to the nuclear-powered attack (SSN) fleet submarines, 2093 / 2193 mine hunting sonar and the new sonar 2087 low-frequency active sonar (LFAS) fitted to the Type 23 frigates.

Initially the contract was priced for a five-year period. During this time, the levels of equipment availability have improved and overall savings in the cost of support have been achieved. In refining the contract for the five years remaining of its current term the MoD has broadened the scope of the contract to extend its benefits to other related equipment. The total value of the 10-year contract is now over £230 million.

The contract is run through the ‘Integrated Support Team - Sonar', which is a joint Thales UK / MoD team based in Abbey Wood, Bristol. This team is augmented by several Thales and J+S Ltd waterfront engineers in the RN's three naval bases (Portsmouth, Plymouth and Faslane) and together they ensure that specialist technical advice and support is delivered whenever it is needed to ensure the continued availability of the sonar systems.

Ed Lowe, Vice President of Thales UK's naval business says: "Agreeing the terms for the second phase of the sonar availability contract recognises both the value of this type of arrangement in driving down costs and the successful way in which Thales UK has delivered the required outputs throughout the past five years. It also secures work over the next five years for more than 100 employees.

"Refining this contract to optimise its performance over the balance of its remaining term reinforces our positive long-term relationship with the Royal Navy."

Mike Waldron, the Group Leader Sonar and Optical Systems for the MoD Defence Equipment and Support Underwater Warfare Systems Team, says: "We are looking forward to another five years of working together with Thales UK to build on the success of the past five years, and continue to provide the Royal Navy with the excellent service that they have come to expect from this contract."


Thales UK will continue to support the contract with work from its two underwater systems sites. Our sonar systems are designed and built at Cheadle Heath near
Manchester, the result of many years and multi-million pounds of investment to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of sonar technology. More than 300 people work at
this site. The outboard arrays for the sonar systems and also the mine hunting sonar systems are manufactured at the Templecombe facility in Somerset where more than 400 people work.

Thales UK is a significant player in the UK's naval market, being a founding partner of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, an important systems integrator and sensor provider for the Astute-class submarines, and a key equipment supplier for the Type 45-class destroyer programme.

- Ends -

Technorati Tags:
Contract Win, Royal Navy, Thales, Sonar

Thales acquires Barcos software development unit for Maritime Safety and Surveillance

Thales acquires Barcos software development unit for Maritime Safety and Surveillance
01 September 2008

Following a competitive bidding process, Thales and Barco today announced the acquisition of Barcos software development unit for maritime safety and surveillance.
The agreement covers the sale of the OPSCenter software components for use in the maritime domain, and also includes a license for Barco's development toolbox for operational display systems. Barco will continue to provide hardware-based visualization solutions for maritime applications.

Barco's software development unit for maritime safety and surveillance, located in Stuttgart, Germany, focuses on three related business areas serving operational centers that provide surveillance, navigation and other services to ports. These are Maritime Rescue & Coordination Centers, Coastal Surveillance Systems and Vessel Traffic - and Vessel Traffic Management & Information Systems.

For Thales, this acquisition comes in the context of an increasing number of states recognising the need to interconnect both Safety and Surveillance systems in view of managing the entire scope of MSS activity.

"This move represents a key element in Thales's ambition to further strengthen our position in the growing market of Maritime Safety & Surveillance. The combination of Thales's proven capability and continued investment in the development and integration of critical information systems combined with Barco's software development expertise in three core MSS capabilities, is a powerful blend to further penetrate and consolidate Thales's position in the MSS market", says Jean-Georges Malcor, Senior-Vice President of Thales and head of the Naval Division.

"We decided to divest these activities as they did not strategically fit into our business model," says Carl Peeters, President of Barco's Security and Monitoring Division. "We are focused on long-term relationships with partners and integrators worldwide and not on working directly with end-users as an application services provider as was the case in maritime safety and surveillance. In the maritime domain, Barco will of course continue to supply LCD displays and rear-projected video walls."

"We are pleased to have found in Thales a strategic partner for the acquisition of our Stuttgart based MSS business. Thales's proven expertise in large scale systems integration, along with Barco's key MSS capabilities and market references will provide the business with a first-class environment for further growth", concludes Carl Peeters.

As a result of this operation, the 22 Stuttgart-based employees will gain access to Thales's worldwide base of dual-use technologies and benefit from an established international go-to-market environment.

Technorati Tags:
Acquisition, Thales

Thales Alenia Space and Inmarsat PLC sign an ATP for the EuropaSat S-Band satellite project

Thales Alenia Space and Inmarsat PLC sign an ATP for the EuropaSat S-Band satellite project

22 August 2008
Thales Alenia Space and Inmarsat signed an ATP for the development of the "EuropaSat" satellite to provide mobile broadcast and two-way telecommunications services in the S-Band throughout Europe.

Cannes, August 22, 2008 - Thales Alenia Space and Inmarsat signed today an ATP (Authorization To Proceed) for the development of the "EuropaSat" satellite to provide mobile broadcast and two-way telecommunications services in the S-Band throughout Europe. This signature confirms and consolidates Thales Alenia Space's strong in-house experience and long heritage in S-Band payloads*.

Thales Alenia Space will commence work on the satellite design, based on its Spacebus 4000C3 platform and develop it through timely Critical Design Review to support a fully compliant application for a EC-wide S-band spectrum allocation by Inmarsat, under the recently-announced European S-Band Application Process ("ESAP" - European Selection and Authorisation Process). The spacecraft will carry a payload at 2 GHz generating 9 S-Band user spot beams in 2 polarizations, using a large S-Band Tx antenna of 12 meters diameter.

Designed with a lifetime of 15 years, the EuropaSat satellite will have a launch mass of 5.7 tonnes and will deliver 8.5 kW of payload power. The satellite is expected to be launched in early 2011, in compliance with the ESAP, and to be placed at 31°E to deliver services across the whole of the European landmass. The spacecraft manufacturing programme supports Inmarsat's imminent application for an award of S-band spectrum, pursuant to the ESAP, which commenced on 7 August 2008. and is subject inter alia to a successful outcome of the ESAP for Inmarsat.

Reynald Seznec, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space said: "We are extremely pleased to have been selected by Inmarsat to assist their initiative. Following-on from the MoU signature between ESA and Inmarsat for the first Alphabus platform, this ATP marks another important success for Thales Alenia Space with Inmarsat.

"We are very grateful for the support of Thales Alenia Space for our application for an award of S-Band spectrum in the ESAP," said Inmarsat CEO Andy Sukawaty. "With the industrial support of Thales Alenia Space we are confident of submitting a compliant and highly credible application to the EC and positioning ourselves as a leading applicant for a substantial S-Band spectrum award. We are pleased to acknowledge that we will be counting on the industrial support from CNES to develop the sophisticated Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) that will be flown on the EuropaSat spacecraft, ensuring a flexible and powerful payload".

* Eutelsat's W2A, Worldstar, XM Radio, Sirius, MT Sat (Japan).

About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Together with Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space forms the "Space Alliance" between the two groups. The company is a worldwide reference in telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. With 7200 employees and 11 industrial sites, Thales Alenia Space is located in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.

Thales's WATCHKEEPER programme successfully passes flight trials for automatic take-off and landing

Thales's WATCHKEEPER programme successfully passes flight trials for automatic take-off and landing

12 August 2008
Thales UK today confirms a further key milestone for the WATCHKEEPER programme has been met, with the validation of Thales's automatic take-off and landing system, MAGIC ATOLS.
This trial is one of a comprehensive set of trials taking place over the next year and follows on from the first successful flight trials of the WATCHKEEPER unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in April 2008.

On 23 July 2008 automated take-off and landing flights of the WATCHKEEPER UAV using Thales's MAGIC ATOLS were successfully performed and validated in the presence of the UK Ministry of Defence at Megido airfield in northern Israel. The WATCHKEEPER system has been designed for automatic take-off and landing, without the need for pilots during this phase.

Mark Barclay, Managing Director of Thales UK's aerospace business, witnessed the demonstration flights and commented: "This is a major step forward on the WATCHKEEPER programme and one of a number of trials that are scheduled over the forthcoming months. The MAGIC ATOLS system controlled the take-off and landing of several of the WATCHKEEPER air vehicle flights without the need for GPS. I was pleased to have the opportunity to be present on the day and the success of this demonstration is completely due to the close co-operation of the Thales and Elbit teams on the programme."

Thales's MAGIC ATOLS is an accurate, automatic, compact system ensuring maximum safety, day, night, and in all weather conditions during the critical take-off and landing phases of fixed-wing UAV operations. It is GPS independent. WATCHKEEPER air vehicles have both a MAGIC ATOLS and a GPS-based system to give redundancy in automated take-off and recovery eliminating the need for pilot skills.

The MAGIC ATOLS system has a non-intrusive standalone architecture ensuring a quick and simple integration into any existing type of UAV system. In addition, the reduced logistic footprint permits a quick and easy deployment and is suitable for land force operations.

Notes to editors

WATCHKEEPER will provide the UK armed forces with an essential Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, and will be a key component of the UK's network enabled capability (NEC). Thales UK, as Prime Contractor for the WATCHKEEPER programme, will deliver equipment, training and facilities, with the capability planned to enter service from 2010.

Production of the WATCHKEEPER system will take place at U-TacS (UAV Tactical Systems Ltd), the Thales UK and Elbit Systems joint company, based in Leicester.