At the heart of new naval challenges
Thales is at the forefront of developing new naval solutions to meet evolving environmental and security challenges. As a
long-term partner for more than 50 Navies around the world, the company has proven itself to be an innovative and
reliable partner, helping customers to adapt to market changes.
At the 2010 Euronaval Show, Thales is demonstrating its ability:
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To meet 21stcentury maritime environmental and security challenges, such as:
o Escalating piracy that is accentuating the need to protect shipping routes;
o Asymmetric threats, from terrorism or illegal trafficking, that have been on the rise, fuelling the need to
further protect assets in coastal zones or EEZs;
o The growing requirement for high-performance anti-submarine systems due to the increase in the
number of submarines worldwide;
o The increased use of smaller size platforms (mainly Offshore Patrol Vessels, or OPVs) that is generating
demand for smaller, adaptable and less expensive systems and equipment.
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To provide customers with innovative offerings that cover the full spectrum of their needs, from the
conception of systems up to end-of-life.
The Thales stand will be divided into five main zones: Above Water Operations, Underwater Operations, Information
Superiority (interconnectivity, interoperability), Maritime Safety and Security, and Naval Services.
Thales equips new ships and upgrades existing vessels with latest-generation systems, sensors and equipment that
ensure mission success in areas such as maritime security, anti-mine warfare and anti-submarine missions.
Generating over one billion euros per year across its naval markets, Thales is developing new solutions - many of which
are on display at Euronaval 2010 - to meet the needs of key players (national navies, coastguard services, port
authorities, etc.).
2009-2010 Highlights
France’s first FREMM frigate is put to water
The FREMM Aquitaine, the first in a world-class series of frigates was put to water in May 2010 in preparation for further
testing. Thales’s systems onboard comprise a significant portion of the operational value of these frigates, for which prime
contracting duties for shipbuilding and combat systems management are handled by DCNS in France.
France has to date ordered 11 frigates, consisting of nine anti-submarine warfare (ASW) versions and two anti-air
versions (FREDA). The Aquitaine, an ASW version, is the first of these frigates to be put to water.
Previously, in April 2010, Thales had signed a contract to equip France’s additional three Fremm frigates with radar,
infrared search and track, sonar and communications systems.
In 2010, Thales also completed the delivery of its hardware equipment for Italy’s first FREMM frigate. The equipment
acceptance tests were completed successfully.
First milestones in UK aircraft carrier programme
The construction of the biggest ever British warships – the two new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers - has begun
last July 2009. In February 2010, a significant milestone was achieved when the Factory Acceptance Test for HMS
Queen Elizabeth’s propellers was successfully completed at Rolls-Royce AB in Kristinehamn, Sweden, on behalf of the
Thales UK-led Power & Propulsion Sub-Alliance.
The Power and Propulsion Sub-Alliance is comprised of Thales UK (acting on behalf of the main Aircraft Carrier Alliance),
Rolls Royce, Converteam and L3, and is responsible for the design, procurement, manufacture, integration, test and
delivery of the integrated electric propulsion system.
In April 2010, the Aircraft Carrier Alliance awarded a further £20m worth of new contracts to UK companies for work on
the new aircraft carrier. Thales will provide tactical communications systems, which will allow each ship to interoperate
with other UK ships, NATO/Allied ships, commercial ships, aircraft, and land-based forces.
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New Thales systems enter service
After a series of successful trials, Thales’s submarine distress beacon has just been accepted into service with the UK
Royal Navy. More than 100 SEEPIRB (submarine-ejected emergency positioning indicating radio beacon) buoys were
accepted into service with all classes of RN submarines, including the new Astute class, in September 2010.
Late 2009, Thales celebrated the entry into service of its Coastwatcher 10 radar, a coastal surveillance radar developed
together with Japan’s Furuno. The Coastwatcher 10 has been installed in September 2010 at the oil tanker terminal of the
Port of Marseille within the SECMAR project. SECMAR is an initiative of the French General Directorate for Enterprises
(DGE) and the maritime cluster of the PACA region (Provence, Alpes, Côte d’Azur) aimed at developing an integrated
multi-sensor system to provide protection for civil and military ports or critical infrastructures. The Coastwatcher 10 radar,
which is deployed in the port and integrated with optical and acoustic sensors, delivers outstanding performance in the
detection and tracking of small surface targets.
Continued success for Thales sensors
In 2010, The Netherlands ordered their fifth Integrated Mast 400 (I-Mast 400) and their ninth Gatekeeper electro-optic
surveillance system from Thales. The integrated mast is a breakthrough design approach compared to the traditional
sensor layout onboard naval vessels. One central mast structure houses radar, optronic, identification (IFF), ESM
(COMINT & ELINT) and communication antennas as well as all cabinets and peripherals. The advantages of this
revolutionary sensor concept are huge: better operational performance, higher operational availability, reduced shipbuilding time, reduced maintenance requirements and enormous savings in below-deck space. The Gatekeeper is a 360°
panoramic surveillance and automatic alerting system based on IR/TV technology. It provides short-range situational
awareness and ship security both at sea and in port 24/7 without crew on deck.
Thales’s sensor systems were also selected by the Belgian Navy (two Seastar and Gatekeeper systems for its multipurpose M-class frigates), and the Canadian Navy (13 Smart-S Mk2 surveillance radars for their Hallifax Patrol Frigates).
And in 2009, Thales made a significant ‘come-back’ in the naval domain in Germany, where it was selected to equip all
German EGV supply ships with radar systems for air surveillance and helicopter guidance (VARIANT radar).
Communications, EW and maritime patrol contracts
In October 2010, Thales was awarded a contract to supply the Canadian Navy with dedicated UHF satellite
communication (SATCOM) omni-directional antennas for four of the Halifax-class frigates that are being converted to
command ships. As a compact and relatively lightweight omni-directional antenna, the QHASS (Quadrifilar Helix) antenna
is designed specifically to provide enhanced low-angle performance in the UHF SATCOM frequency band.
In July 2010, Thales and Samsung Thales were selected by the German submarine shipbuilder HDW to provide the Xband Satcom Terminal for the six Type 214 submarines to be delivered to the Republic of Korea’s Navy. The delivered
system is issued from Thales’s DIVESAT technology, capable of operation at different frequency bands (X, Ku, Ka or
EHF) and can deliver unprecedented data throughput capabilities to navies worldwide.
In June 2010, Thales was selected by the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) to equip patrol boats and corvettes with Vigile
ESM (Electronic Support Measures) systems that include Vigile 200 and Vigile 400 systems. The Vigile family of ESM
solutions has been developed to monitor, measure and analyse electromagnetic signals, providing the crew with early
warning, situation awareness and electromagnetic signals intelligence functions in both open ocean and dense littoral
environments. With Thales systems, the Royal Navy of Oman will benefit from the most advanced ESM solutions
available today, fully tailored to its specific operational requirements.
At last year’s Paris Air Show, Thales and Provincial Aerospace Ltd. announced their selection by the United Arab
Emirates Air Force for its Maritime Patrol Programme. Thales will upgrade two UAE Air Force Bombardier Dash 8-300
Aircraft with a sophisticated and state-of-the-art maritime patrol system, consisting primarily of AMASCOS (Airborne
MAritime Situation and COntrol System).
Worldwide upgrade contracts
In 2010, Thales was awarded a contract by BAE Systems to upgrade three UK Trafalgar-class and three Astute-class
submarines with the Sonar 2076 Stage 5 system. Once all the work is completed, 2076 Stage 5 will be fully deployed
across the Royal Navy’s (RN) nuclear-powered attack (SSN) submarine fleet.
In 2009, Thales signed a significant contract with Italy’s Intermarine to supply eight of its highly successful Sonar 2093
systems to the Italian Navy’s (Marina Militare Italiana) Gaeta-class minehunting fleet.
Another major modernisation contract was awarded to Thales by Singapore. In May 2009, the Defence Science and
Technology Agency (DSTA) of Singapore awarded Thales with the Life Extension Programme (LEP) of its 4 Bedok class
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mine-countermeasure vessels. As prime contractor, Thales will be responsible for providing an advanced, integrated
mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed
Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales will also be in charge of making any
structural alterations to the vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and equipment.
And in November 2008, Thales had been awarded the prime contractorship in a new war-ship reactivation programme
following an agreement between the UK MoD and the Lithuanian Government to procure the former UK Hunt-class mine
countermeasures vessels Cottesmore and Dulverton.
Major support contracts
In 2010, Thales secured a six-ship, seven-year support contract for fully integrated communications system (FICS)
onboard the UK’s Royal Navy Daring-class destroyers. The multi-million pound contract requires Thales to guarantee
the availability of the communications systems fitted to these new ships. The contract, awarded to Thales by BAE
Systems Surface Ships, covers all internal and external communications systems and will run until 2016. In addition to
providing support to the vessels themselves, Thales will also provide support for a single shore-based reference system.
In 2009, Thales had already been awarded a three-year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to continue its
provision of specialised engineering support to the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. For the past six years, Thales has
been running the support contract for the UK submarine fleet’s UHF satellite communication system. The contract will
provide support to the fleet on a worldwide, 24/7-availability basis.
Thales also secured a new electronic warfare (EW) agreement for the equipment fitted to the Royal Navy’s warship and
submarine fleets. The new EW agreement is an enhancement to Thales’s existing and highly successful contractor
logistics support (CLS) contract with the MoD to provide in-service solutions to all of the Royal Navy’s major sonar
systems. The enhancement now means that Thales is providing a combined sonar and EW warfare support service to the
Royal Navy’s frontline fleet, including its Invincible-class aircraft carriers, Type 23 and Type 22 frigates, and Type 42
destroyers.
And in late 2008, Thales 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 major sonar systems. The contract 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.
Thales equipment involved in historic trials
In July 2010, Thales’s Sonar 2087 system impressed in the first exercise of the sophisticated Type 23 frigate HMS
Sutherland since her recent multi-million refit, which included the installation of the sonar.
In April 2010, Thales systems were seen in a combined sea trial of two classes of Royal Navy submarines – the HMS
Astute, the navy’s most advanced attack submarine, and the HMS Triumph, the newest Trafalgar boat. Both boats are
fitted with a variety of Thales sensors, periscopes/optronic masts and systems. And the HMS Triumph just completed a
multi-million pound refit which included the installation of Thales’s Sonar 2076 system (S2076).
Paving the way in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
2009-2010 were two important years for the advancement of UAS technology in the naval domain. Thales played a key
role through two major initiatives:

In July 2009, the French defence procurement agency (DGA) awarded DCNS, Thales and ECA a major study
contract that is expected to lead, around 2011, to a demonstrator of a new mine countermeasures solution
dubbed ESPADON (Évaluation de Solutions Potentielles d’Automatisation de Déminage pour les Opérations
Navales). The ESPADON solution comprises a minehunter, two unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and
autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). With ESPADON, DCNS, Thales and ECA will be the first team in the
world to evaluate USVs deploying AUVs for full-scale mine countermeasures.

In February 2010, Thales was chosen to partner with Schiebel for the trial of its Camcopter
S-100 UAS. In December 2009, the DGA had selected Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 to run a series of
comprehensive trials to assess the operational advantages of a VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) UAS.
Leveraging its expertise in airworthiness and flight certification, as well as its involvement in French and
European air safety regulations, and its European leadership in Unmanned Airborne Systems, Thales will support
Schiebel in the management of these VTOL trials.
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ABOVE WATER OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Thales above-water combat systems meet a wide range
of needs. These solutions perform surveillance,
command and combat functions, as well as support
weapon systems from both US and European
manufacturers.
Thales has successfully enhanced this high-value
proposition for surface fleets by proactively supporting
customers as their missions and operational
requirements evolve. Today, the company is both a
trusted integrator of mission-critical combat systems and
a design authority and architect for complete naval and
maritime solutions. Thales solutions encompass all the
mission capabilities of a joint sea-based force, from antiair, surface and anti-submarine warfare to peacekeeping
operations within multinational coalitions.
low risk implementation, an extensive library of
functionalities and an assured future growth path.
Capitalising on more than one million man-hours of
software development, its track record of success
extends across 18 navies and over 160 platforms, and
includes licensed software development and system
customisation to meet specific user needs and business
models.
Tacticos is suited for naval vessels of all sizes, from one
or two consoles on a fast patrol boat to 20 or more
consoles on a frigate. It can be used in naval operations
centres, as stand-alone data link systems and planning
systems, and as a shore-based training facility. Even
more important, there are no limitations to the system
size. Depending on the operational requirements,
Tacticos can be configured to integrate as many parts of
the combat system as required.
KEY FEATURED SOLUTIONS
Maritime Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence
As the proliferation of ballistic missile technology
continues, governments around the world see a need to
develop defensive capabilities against attacks by theatre
ballistic missiles. A major component of any theatre
ballistic missiles defence (TBMD) architecture is the
early warning of TBM launches. This can be performed
by high-performance sea-based radars that can detect a
TBM during the so-called boost phase and can track the
missile as it enters its ballistic trajectory towards its
target. The 400km range offered by the SMART-L
Volume Search Radar, in use in many European NATO
countries, enables it to be a major component of an
early warning system.
With its new Extended Long Range (ELR) mode even
much longer ranges can be achieved. This ELR
technology is inherently capable of turning SMART-L
into a TBMD early warning radar with impressive range,
detection and tracking performance.
Combat Management Systems
Tacticos
The highly successful Thales Tacticos Combat
Management System (CMS) captures diverse user
requirements, building on a continuous evolution in
hardware, middleware, software and operational
applications to deliver a fully distributed system
architecture for tactical picture compilation, decision
support, unit and force coordination, sensor and weapon
assignment, information exchange, mission planning
and embedded training.
Now firmly established as the international market leader
in surface ship command and battle space management,
Tacticos offers a proven equipment integration record for
Tacticos
Sensors & Radar Systems/Surface Surveillance
I- MAST family
The Thales I-Mast family heralds a new paradigm shift in
shipbuilding and sensor integration.
This innovative, integrated topside design approach
integrates all sensors and communication antennas into
one single integrated mast solution: the I-Mast family.
The Royal Netherlands Navy became the launching
customer when it ordered five complete I-Mast 400
systems for its new Holland-class ocean-capable patrol
ships.
The I-Mast vertically stacks the various systems on top
of each other, so that each has an unrestricted 360degree field-of-view, all electromagnetic interference
problems are eliminated and ship integration is made
much easier and faster. The I-Mast concept is made
possible by a new generation non-rotating sensor
system, and an integrated flat panel communication
antenna system. The I-Mast 400 configuration replaces
approximately 25 previously separate stand-alone radar
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and communication antennas and integrates their
combined functionalities into a single turnkey package.
I-Mast is a family of Integrated Mast solutions, aiming to
match the needs of any surface warship. Designed as a
System-of-Systems, I-Mast uses an advanced
mechanical mast structure that houses a tailored set of
integrated sensors and communication systems.
The I-Mast turnkey package arrives at the shipbuilding
site as a complete unit, with all equipment installed,
tested and integrated. This includes all radars, electrooptical sensors, non-rotating IFF, communication
systems and auxiliary equipment needed for safety,
cooling, power supply and maintenance. The
mechanical structure creates a protected and
conditioned environment that enables easy access and
maintenance from inside. The I-Mast structure also
houses all processing cabinets, leading to enormous
savings of below-deck space and elimination of cabling
problems associated with traditional topside design.
As such, I-Mast represents a new paradigm for the
design, build, operation, maintenance and through-life
support of naval surface ships. I-Masts are offered in
various sizes and capabilities to fit most classes of ships
from Fast Attack Craft and Corvettes to Frigates.
control functions. The system has been designed for the
defence against asymmetrical threats. The radar system
provides reliable target data at both short and long
ranges. Air and surface surveillance, helicopter direction
and approach control and weapon support are
performed simultaneously.
Sea Watcher 100
Sea Watcher 100 is a non-rotating I-band (or X-band)
surface surveillance radar for asymmetric threat
operations in the littoral, open-ocean and harbour
environments with an average operational range of up to
40 km.
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper is the latest addition to Thales’s passive
surveillance product family. Non-rotating (staring) IR/TV
cameras continuously provide a 360º panoramic visual
overview of the own ship environment. Adequate
tracking facilities are provided to track even the smallest
surface target. Gatekeeper has been designed as an
automatic own ship close-range security sensor when in
harbour, at anchor or sailing close to unfriendly shores.
The system is ideally suited as clip-on for existing
platforms. It provides 24-hour, day/night surveillance
allowing the crew to be deployed more efficiently with
personnel being able to stay inside a protected, airconditioned environment rather than having to stand
watch on deck.
Gatekeeper
Smart–L/S1850M
I-Mast
The sensors in I-Mast include Sea Master 400, Sea
Watcher 100 and Gatekeeper.
Sea Master 400
Derived from Thales Smart-L, Smart-S Mk2 and Apar
systems, Sea Master 400 is a non-rotating four-face
phased array 250-km volume search radar operating in
E/F band (or S band). The system maintains Thales
well-known multi-beam and Doppler processing
principles of the Smart radar family. Sea Master 400
simultaneously provides the required air surveillance,
helicopter control, surface surveillance and weapon
The Smart-L Volume Search Radar is a member of the
advanced 3D multi-beam radar family, and is designed
according to the NATO specifications for Volume Search
Radar. The solid state D-band (or L-Band), Smart-L
provides undisturbed wide area awareness of a 400 km
range up to 70º elevation. Full Doppler processing for
instantaneous radial velocity measurement and clutter
suppression, combined with refined signal processing,
guarantees excellent performance, especially against
stealth targets in a littoral environment. Smart-L can be
fitted with anti-ballistic missile defence capabilities.
The S1850M Volume Search Radar is a Smart-L based
radar designed and produced in co-operation with BAE
Systems Insyte and with specific customer adaptations.
The Smart-L/S1850M is the de facto standard of major
European navies for their long-range 3D radar
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requirements and foreseen as one of the pillars in
NATO’s TBMD.
With multiple stacked vertical beams, it simultaneously
covers full elevation volume between 0º and 70º.
Azimuth is scanned with the stacked beams, with two
rotation speeds. By design, it offers ease of installation,
maintenance and a high reliability. Smart-S Mk2 is the
optimal sensor for a powerful weapon and sensor suite
for littoral operations as is recognised by its large
installed user group.
Smart-L
Smart–S Mk2
Smart-S Mk2 is the continuous evolution of Thales
proven 3D multi-beam radar family. This radar operates
in E/F-band (or S-band) and is optimised for surveillance
of 250 km with 70º elevation coverage, target
designation and undisturbed air and surface target
tracking in littoral environments. Development of
SMART-S Mk2 started in 2003 and at present no less
than 40 systems have been sold.
Smart-S
Smart-S Mk2 matches the full performance envelope of
modern surface-to-air missiles, with direct assignment of
VL-MICA, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and is
suitable as a main air and surface surveillance radar for
corvettes, frigates and amphibious ships. The radar
offers two main modes, a special helicopter/UAS
guidance capability and three surface fire control
channels.
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UNDERWATER OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
KEY FEATURED SOLUTIONS
Underwater threats to naval fleets and offshore or
coastal installations include asymmetric threats that can
stem from mines, piracy, terrorism and trafficking, as
well as more traditional threats such as anti-submarine
warfare. Thales develops a range of solutions that
directly thwart these threats.
Mine Counter Measures (MCM) highlights
Thales underwater solutions draw on unmanned naval
vehicles, as well as a range of acoustic sensors
including hull-mounted and towed sonars for surface
vessels, flank arrays and towed sonar arrays for
submarines, and dipping sonars for anti-submarine
warfare aircraft. In addition, Thales is now using its
expertise in unmanned aerial systems to complement
the capabilities of these underwater systems, extending
the reach of maritime surveillance and offering
communications relay capabilities.
Focus on Unmanned Systems for Underwater
Operations
Maritime unmanned vehicles provide strategic and
operational advantages to navies and security forces by
significantly reducing the cost and human risk of mine
countermeasures, as well as by extending the reach of
surveillance.
Thales specialises in developing maritime unmanned
systems for use in anti-mine warfare, to detect, locate,
classify, identify and eventually neutralise mines. As an
anti-mine warfare solutions provider, Thales has been a
world leader in the supply of conventional solutions
based on hull mounted and towed sonars for MCM
vessels. The company is now developing capacities to
integrate crucial unmanned elements, as organic assets,
into new and future solutions for mine warfare.
ASEMAR
Thales was selected in 2007 to lead the development
work of a sonar system, as part of the ASEMAR study
for the design of a surveillance-based AUV for maritime
security operations. This project, signed with the
Maritime Cluster initiative in the French region of
Brittany, involves two industrial partners (Thales and
ECA) and four educational institutions in France. It is
part of a series of experiments undertaken in conjunction
with the NATO Undersea Research Center (NURC) and
the DUBM-44 programme for developing high-level AUV
payloads.
These systems, which can be launched off naval
platforms, offer significant protection against major
threats including naval mines, piracy and anti-submarine
warfare. Several vehicle types fall into the category of
maritime unmanned vehicles:
 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
Thales innovations in unmanned vehicles have
extended to the field of UUVs, which can be preprogrammed, or AUVs, which can make decisions
based on the situation they encounter to achieve
their pre-programmed missions.
 Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
Unmanned surface vehicles are used to deploy
AUVs and UUVs.
Among other purposes, UUVs and AUVs are used in
mine countermeasures (MCM) and in the protection of
harbours as well as in anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
DUBM-44
Thales is responsible for developing the sonar system,
as well as the autonomous decision-making capability
and the high-resolution synthetic aperture side-scan
sonar offering. These capabilities provide the AUV with
an unrivalled performance for detecting and identifying
underwater objects at relatively high speed, which
provides a high coverage rate. The cutting-edge sonar
system features state-of-the-art imaging and mission
autonomy technologies.
PEA AUV
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The VAMA study
Sonars and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle demonstrators
Thales is supporting the French Defence Procurement
Agency (DGA) in preparing technological and
algorithmic
building
blocks
for
naval
mine
countermeasures of the future, particularly in the domain
of AUVs.
Since 2007, the company has been involved in
autonomous mine hunting programmes such as the
VAMA* autonomous anti-mine vehicle prototype
developed with Norway, and the Autonomous
Unmanned Vehicle Upstream study demonstrator.
These projects aim to validate the concept of deploying
unmanned vehicles for MCM operations and to improve
the operational control of such systems with onboard
real time processing capabilities.
* Véhicule Anti-Mines Autonome
ESPADON**
ESPADON is an advanced study programme funded by
the French defence procurement agency (DGA) with the
aim of minimising risks surrounding certain aspects of
the maritime drone-based future anti-mine warfare
system.
Thales offers a full range of acoustic sensors for the
underwater battlespace, and particularly for antisubmarine warfare (ASW), which has become a growing
area of need as the number of silent submarines in
oceans worldwide multiplies. This range includes towed
array sonars for surface vessels, dipping sonars for
ASW aircraft, as well as bow mounted sonars for
offensive ASW and self-protection.
The CAPTAS 4 VDS (Variable Depth Sonar)
A key asset for ASW missions
The unique CAPTAS 4 (Combined Active and Passive
Towed Array Sonar, 4 rings, for Surface Ship) system is a
technological breakthrough drawing on low frequency
passive and active arrays, with an exceptional reach on
silent targets. The CAPTAS 4 is equipped with a quick
and automated system for deploying towed elements in
the water.
The CAPTAS 4 design makes it highly effective even in
shallow waters, where the vertical directivity and wide
bandwidth of the transmit array and the horizontal
directivity of the receive array can significantly reduce
reverberation effects. It is the only low frequency variable
depth sonar in service with NATO and leading navies.
Thales and DCNS were awarded this major study
contract in 2009 for a demonstrator of a new MCM
solution. This partnership is the first in the world to
evaluate USVs deploying AUVs for full-scale MCM.
DCNS, Thales and ECA have put forward a joint solution
using USVs in preparation for the expected renewal of
MCM systems among many Navies in the coming
decades. These vehicles offer the key benefit of keeping
crews out of harm’s way. MCM operations have typically
been performed by dedicated vessels, known as
minehunters, and have exposed crews to considerable
danger.
The ESPADON solution comprises a dedicated vessel,
two USVs and AUVs. The dedicated vessel remains at a
safe distance from the minefield and controls the USVs,
which are programmed specifically to operate in
minefields. The USVs in turn deploy AUVs. As part of
ESPADON, Thales leads the USV, MCM outfitting and
sensor module, as well as communications between the
different components.
CAPTAS 4
** Evaluation de Solutions Potentielles d’Automatisation de
Déminage pour les Opérations Navales
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INFORMATION SUPERIORITY
OVERVIEW
In modern conflicts, naval forces are constantly required
to act more rapidly, accurately and efficiently, and with
greater agility. Real-time access to reliable,
comprehensive information has become critical. Thales
supports the transformation of naval forces by delivering
systems and solutions ensuring all players access the
required information so that they can react decisively.
With its C4ISR solutions, Thales offers naval forces
interoperability with land, air, allied forces and NATO.
The Information Superiority zone at the Thales Pavilion
is organised around three main capacities:
Onboard C4ISR: Thales proposes a wide range of
onboard C4ISR solutions enabling naval task forces to
benefit from an entirely digitised environment thanks to
real-time information acquisition and advanced
Command Information System;
Maritime Headquarters: Thales provides decision
superiority capacities and means to operational
commanders (planning and control of operations,
coordination of engagements, targeting processes,
maritime surveillance, etc.);
Communication Networks: Thales offers solutions
ensuring high connectivity, as well as secure and
interoperable communications. These communications
allow the networking of functions and platforms, the
cornerstone of Network Centric Operation.
KEY FEATURED SOLUTIONS
Onboard C4ISR
Vigile LW maritime radar ESM for small vessels
Vigile LW
Maritime Headquarters
SIC 21
SIC 21 is the new-generation naval C4I system
delivered by Thales to the French navy. This system
provides tailored working spaces that rely on an
information portal. It provides a common operational
picture, command & control functionalities, and
interoperable information exchange via secure
communication networks between headquarters and
individual ships, maritime aircraft, or submarines. SIC 21
uses the latest information technology standards, and
provides NATO-standardised information services
between allied navies. Today, the growing role of
maritime cooperation between various coastal, civilian
and naval actors, notably in the fight against piracy, calls
for a greater level of cooperation and coordination, a
mission that SIC 21 is addressing today. Building on this
reference, Thales will demonstrate during Euronaval a
multi-level vision of system interoperability, drawing on a
common information and communications core to deliver
information services to a wider community of maritime
users.
Thales recently unveiled Vigile LW, a new, lightweight,
naval Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM)
system set to redefine situational awareness for small
vessels. This radar detects, identifies and displays air
and surface threats in real time, providing tactical
situational awareness wherever needed.
Vigile LW is the core element of a Self Protection Suite
and can be operated as a standalone RESM or as a
central Electronic Warfare controller. It can control the
communication and Radar ESM, Laser Warning, Missile
warning and programmable decoying functions. Installed
across several vessels, Vigile LW can provide a
network-centric compatible solution.
The system operates automatically and therefore is
autonomous and easy to support. Tracks can optionally
be overlayed onto the radar picture, removing the need
for a dedicated Electronic Warfare operator and thereby
keeping through-life costs low and easing crew
workloads.
SIC 21
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Communication Networks
Naval Force Intranet
Recent conflicts and international crises have shown
how navies are required to operate jointly either through
coalitions or inter-allied forces or simply to be
interoperable with other national forces (Land and Air
forces). In addition, many joint task forces are now also
deployed for humanitarian and civil purposes.
To answer these needs, Thales has developed a
networking solution called Naval-Force Intranet (NFI),
completely based on IP technology and COTS items.
NFI provides an “IP at sea” capability, offering
multimedia services through multi-platform networking
for applications such as MCCIS, decision aids, planning
aids, as well as Web, Chat, FTP, database access,
Email, visioconference, etc. NFI-L derivated from NFI,
showcased at Euronaval this year, is a plug and
communicate stand-alone system for IP over the air.
Easy to integrate, scalable and secure, its stand-alone
cabinet fits on any type of ship or ground station. Main
references for NFI are RIFAN for French navy and SEA
1442 for Australian navy.
DIVESAT SATCOM Terminal for Submarines
DIVESAT provides submarines High Data Rate satellite
communication capability in X, Ku, Ka or EHF
Frequency bands.
DIVESAT is available in two different configurations, with
a 40 cm or a 75 cm parabolic antenna. All versions of
DIVESAT rely on a 3-axis pedestal for improved tracking
capabilities of high elevation satellites whatever the
frequency band. Compactness and a flexible mechanical
interface make DIVESAT a sound solution for a wide
range of submarines, for new programmes or as part of
an upgrade of the communication suite.
DIVESAT follows the former generation introduced in the
late 1980s (a world first), which has demonstrated
decades of trouble-free operation.
Nextw@ve
Nextw@ve is the latest evolution of the airborne member
of the Thales V/UHF radio family, and marks the
migration of this family towards SDR technology. While
preserving the full interoperability with the previous radio
generation, NextW@ve comes with extended 30-600
Mhz multi-band/multi-mode capabilities, including high
data rate capacity.
Nextw@ve
FlexNet
Naval Force Intranet
F@stnet-Twin
F@stnet-Twin is the first hand-held Software Radio
Terminal in Europe operating on dual (UHF and VHF)
waveforms. The F@stnet-Twin - interoperable across a
broad range of military and civil forces - draws on a
Software Defined Radio (SDR) architecture and its
integration of high data rate vehicle, aeronautical, and
public safety waveforms.
FlexNet is the first European Software Defined Radio to
be fully compliant to international SCA standard. Thales
has developed two major waveforms for FlexNet:
 In VHF, the PR4G F@stnet waveform which has
become the reference for tactical Combat Net Radios
 FlexNet-Waveform, a UHF high data rate ad hoc
networking waveform which is today displayed with its
new 1,5 Mbps service capability.
FlexNet is fully interoperable with PR4G F@stnet,
Nextw@ve and of course the new F@stnet-Twin.
In addition, Thales is continuing the development of the
ESSOR waveform which will soon be available on
FlexNet platforms.
F@stnet-Twin
FlexNet
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MARITIME SAFETY & SECURITY
OVERVIEW
KEY FEATURED SOLUTIONS
An increasing number of states now recognise the need
to counter diverse and diffuse threats. They need
solutions to protect shipping and shipping lanes, fight
piracy, enforce fisheries regulations, combat trafficking
and illegal immigration, mitigate the effects of natural
disasters, and protect port facilities and other maritime
infrastructure. As a systems integrator, Thales
understands the challenges its maritime customers face
and has developed innovative responses to each of
them, including shore-based, airborne and space-based
sensors and applications to improve situational
awareness, information analysis and decision support.
Harbour protection
The Thales MSS zone at Euronaval 2010 showcases
solutions in three key segments:
 Harbour protection: To ensure effective protection
for port and harbour facilities, Thales solutions
incorporate surface and subsurface surveillance
systems, advanced multi-sensor data fusion
software and algorithms to automatically detect
abnormal vessel behaviour. These solutions alert
operators to potential threats that were previously
undetectable.



Coastal surveillance and maritime traffic
management: Thales offers a range of modular and
scalable surveillance systems to meet the whole
range of requirements faced by public authorities
and private operators responsible for maritime safety
and security. These solutions draw on advanced
multi-sensor data fusion technologies to provide
early warning of potential collisions and
automatically detect suspicious or dangerous
behaviour. Sensors and data sources (AIS, coastal
surveillance radars, optronics, RDF, sonars) are
selected to match the specific threat environment.
High-Sea Area Surveillance: Thales is innovating
in the domain of Unmanned Aerial Systems, which
offer navies and coastal patrol authorities the
potential to carry out more effective maritime
surveillance. These systems extend the range of a
naval platform’s scope for detecting threats, as well
as for early warning and identification.
Selective information sharing: Thales has
developed solutions based on the Common
Information Sharing Environment (CISE) concept to
improve maritime situation awareness by sharing
intelligence between nations, government agencies
and private operators responsible for safety and
security at sea. Building on a service-oriented
architecture, Thales has developed distributed
solutions that are non-intrusive with respect to
national systems. These solutions offer secure webbased services that maximise the benefits of
selective information sharing through the use of
innovative
data
presentation
and
display
technologies.
SECMAR Project
To face the growing risk of terrorism, France has
reinforced
protection
of
strategically
important
infrastructure such as ports. To this end, Thales in 2006
founded SECMAR, a four-year programme that
leverages the company’s expertise in dual civil/military
technologies and its proven ability to develop
interoperable mission critical information systems.
The SECMAR project, sponsored by the Pôle Mer
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) maritime cluster in
southern France, aims at developing and delivering an
innovative multi-sensor surveillance system to the Port
of Marseille to ensure security of goods, people and
facilities in this key maritime zone. SECMAR offers a
significant opportunity for designing operational systems
capable of protecting French ports against so-called
asymmetric threats coming from the sea – including
divers, suicide missions and illegal trafficking. The
project is currently in the integration phase and the
handover to the Port of Marseille’s operational team is
set to take place by the end of 2010.
The key advantages of SECMAR:



Merging innovative and legacy above water and
underwater sensor or system outputs (Radar,
Sonar, EOS - Electro Optical System, AIS –
Automatic Identification System, PMS – Port
Management Systems, VTS – Vessel Traffic
Systems, etc) to reveal previously undetectable
surface and underwater elements or events,
Alerting the operator automatically through the
Behavior Analysis Module (BAM), which finds all
detected units on a permanent basis for safety
and security infractions or for deviating from
predefined normal behaviour,
Paving the way for rapid, accurate and suitable
reactions, for instance the use of teams and
non-lethal weapons.
Coastal surveillance and maritime traffic
management
Coastwatcher 10
The short to medium range surveillance radar
Thales has developed the Coastwatcher 10 “all-in-one”
coastal surveillance radar for detecting and tracking very
small and un-cooperative surface vessels, even in harsh
weather conditions. This radar is designed to ensure site
surveillance, anti-intrusion and safety missions for port
authorities and offshore operators. State authorities use
the Coastwatcher 10 for homeland security, policing
missions and traffic monitoring.
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This high-performance affordable radar combines a
standard FURUNO FAR-2157 navigation antenna with a
Thales post-processing algorithm dedicated to the
detection of very small dynamic targets including
kayaks, jet skis and helicopters in dense traffic and
highly cluttered coastal environments.
Coastwatcher 100
The long-range surveillance radar
The Coastwatcher 100 is an “all-in-one” radar that offers
a longer detection range than most radars of its class,
extending out to 100 nautical miles, and the ability to
track 500 surface targets and 30 airborne targets
simultaneously.
In today’s environment, both at local level and in
geopolitical terms, threats such as theft, smuggling,
illegal immigration and terrorism are bringing increased
responsibilities in terms of security in addition to existing
traffic safety missions. The Coastwatcher 100 is
designed to fulfil these security missions: surveillance of
territorial waters and Economic Exclusive Zones,
homeland security and early warning, anti-intrusion and
protection of sensitive coastal assets, SAR missions and
helicopter guidance, upgrade of VTS radars from safety
to security applications, as well as offshore platform and
oil field surveillance.
AMASCOS Maritime Surveillance System
Global requirements for surveillance and maritime patrol
aircraft are dramatically increasing. Maritime patrol
systems are required for long-range aircraft for
surveillance missions, military missions against surface
ships or submarines and coastal operations during
crises. Maritime surveillance aircraft are used to monitor
EEZ territorial waters, all forms of illicit trade and
trafficking, accidental pollution and oil dumping, as well
as for search and rescue operations.
High-Sea Area Surveillance
Thales is involved in large-scale programmes for
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) used for launch at
sea. In addition to carrying out surveillance above water,
these systems can also be used as a communications
relay between Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles and a
dedicated vessel during mine countermeasures and antisubmarine warfare operations. Thales systems allow
these naval UAS to go ahead of a frigate or fleet and to
provide early warning for imminent threats.
Examples of
Programmes:
Thales
High-Sea
Area
Surveillance
 DVI: The DGA also selected Thales to conduct a
further UAS study as part of its DVI (Drone VTOL
Interarmées) programme. The aim of this study is to
define a VTOLS UAS system to meet the tactical
requirements of both France’s Army and Naval forces.
Thales presented Boeing’s Unmanned Little Bird
VTOL UAS as the platform for this study and
subsequent demonstration phase, which includes
deck-landing trials.
As part of the DVI study, Thales teams have worked
closely with Army and Navy staff to analyse their
operational requirements in preparation for functional
definition of the system architecture. The study will
also investigate commonalities and opportunities for
resource sharing between the two forces and will lay
the foundations for the future French SDT* tactical
UAS system programme for French Army forces and
the SDAM** UAS system programme for Naval forces.
 D2AD: Thales is leading the technical design study
D2AD for the design and demonstration of an
automatic take-off, landing and deck landing system
for rotorcraft UAS, set to be a vital component of future
tactical UAS programmes. Demonstrations will start at
the beginning of 2011, when trials are set to take place
on French Navy platforms.
Thales’s sophisticated AMASCOS* mission system, with
the latest generation of sensor suites, is already in
service with the maritime forces of several countries. It
combines these sensor suites – including radar, ESM,
optronics, acoustic and communication systems – with a
powerful tactical command subsystem to ensure the
success of maritime surveillance missions.
The modular architecture of the AMASCOS system
makes it possible to incorporate any combination of
sensors, an acoustic subsystem and datalinks, to meet
diverse operational needs from maritime patrols to antisubmarine warfare. The system is designed for all types
of aircraft, from long-range maritime patrol aircraft to
surveillance planes, and naval helicopters. AMASCOS is
a high performance, platform and sensor flexible solution
that has been chosen in different versions to equip UAE,
Turkish, Indonesian, Japanese, Pakistani and Malaysian
Forces.
*Airborne MAritime Situation and COntrol System
D2AD
*Système de Drones Tactiques
**Système de Drones Aériens pour la Marine
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Partnership in VTOLS
Vertical Takeoff and Landing Systems, or VTOLS (for
rotorcraft UAS), are becoming a must for future naval
UAS programmes, as hostile conditions in theatres of
operation sometimes result in a lack of proper landing
strips, especially at sea. These systems make decklanding a possibility for rotorcraft UAS, thereby giving
these vehicles a wider range of applications.
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has
selected Schiebel’s unmanned aerial system Camcopter
S-100 for these trials, which Thales will support. French
Army and Navy representatives will conduct these trials,
set to take place during the first half of 2010 on various
sites representative of land/urban and coastal
operations.
Thales is at the forefront of such innovation in UAS
systems at the European level. In France, the company
is supporting a series of comprehensive trials to assess
the operational advantages of a VTOLS UAS system.
Thales has answered the DALE (Drone Aérien Léger
Embarqué) RFI submitted by the French Procurement
Agency (DGA) for the equipment of frigates positioned in
the Indian Ocean as part of an anti-piracy operation.
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NAVAL SERVICES
THROUGH-LIFE SUPPORT CONTRACTS
IN THE WORLD
OVERVIEW
Thales is meeting growing demand for innovative
services for naval forces, from technical assistance,
equipment modernisation, repairs and training to
through-life support. Demand for these services has
grown in recent years as navies have begun outsourcing
selected activities under support contracts stipulating
guaranteed levels of operational availability.
After initially focusing on the maintenance of its own
installed base of equipment and systems, Thales now
also offers full through-life support solutions for other
types of naval equipment and systems. Thales’s four
main offers in the naval services domain are:
Integrated Logistic Support (ILS): optimising
maintenance with a complete ILS package from the
earliest design phase to reduce systems life cycle costs.
In-Service Support (ISS): delivering qualified spare
parts, repairs, overhaul and field services.
Capability Sustainment: extending service life and
optimising the performance of each system by
implementing incremental upgrades and overhauls.
Local Support Centres: enhancing Thales’s ability to
deliver timely tailored support solutions to any naval
force in any country.
Life cycle costs are becoming a decisive sales factor,
meaning that while Long Term Service Agreement
(LTSA) concepts are important, the initial focus for
clients is on supportability design. Thales boasts
innovative maintenance centre functionality, which
translates system status directly into maintenance
advice and operational impact. This significantly reduces
the size of maintenance crews, saves on life cycle costs,
and enables remote maintenance.
France
In France, Thales is carrying out a number of throughlife support contracts in close collaboration with DCNS.
These include:




A guaranteed-availability contract for 13
Eridian-class CMT mine hunters,
New integrated logistic support programmes for
FREMM frigates,
A contract to support the first Barracuda
submarine during its first six years of active
service,
The major Cap 2008 programme to review and
update all through-life support contracts for the
French Navy as a subcontractor to DCNS.
Worldwide expertise
In 2009, Thales won a contract for the new training
programme for Saudi Arabia’s Sawari-class frigates.
And, in September 2010, Thales added a Long Term
Service Agreement (LTSA) to its list of achievements by
signing the contract for the in-service support of the
seven Royal Navy S-1850 radars in The Netherlands.
With a growing base of installed sensors – such as
SMART-L, S-1850, I-MAST and SMART-S Mk2 – the
benefit of LTSA-like contracts is growing for customers.
Thales draws on demonstrated expertise in through-life
support
and
design.
In
1970,
Hollandse
Signaalapparaten (now Thales Nederland) delivered the
first of 350 WM-family weapon systems. After 40 years,
more than 230 are still operational. All-generation sensor
and CMS modernisations have been carried out to keep
these systems on the cutting edge.
UK Navy Daring class destroyer
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