Alcatel, Thales Win French MoD Space Order (Feb. 5)
PARIS---The French defense procurement agency DGA (Délégation Générale pour l'Armement) has awarded Alcatel Space and Thales Communications two new space telecommunications contracts. The first covers the development and production of a secure, high-speed modem, dubbed "Modem XXI". It is part of the Syracuse III military satcom system, whose development is proceeding on schedule, especially the production of flight equipment for the satellites.
The second contract concerns a research program on the EHF (extremely high frequency) band, which would provide highly secure links for tactical terminals.
Modem XXI will complement the anti-jamming functions offered by the active antenna carried by the Syracuse III satellites, giving military users a complete secure high-speed service. Alcatel Space is in charge of the overall validation and performance of the complete system. Thales is developing the modems, and is in charge of network management. Modem XXI will use the hardware platform from the SHF-NG modem, now under development, so that it can offer secure high-speed and low-speed services from a single system.
Alcatel Space and Thales will deliver the first shipsets in 2004, placing them in an excellent position to provide a cost-effective solution meeting the allies' interoperability needs. This contract will also enhance France's chances to promote its Syracuse III system for NATO's post-2000 Satcom program.
The EHF research contract will provide system-level validation of the application of commercial-based technologies to provide cost-effective solutions for highly secure links with tactical terminals. Performed in partnership with Thales, this contract will focus on two development objectives: anti-jamming antennas and onboard satellite signal processing.
Alcatel Space ranks among the world's leading space systems prime contractors. Leveraging its dual expertise in civil and military applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite technology solutions for telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation, meteorology, and scientific applications. A fully-owned subsidiary of Alcatel (100%), Alcatel Space generated 2000 revenues of 1.4 billion Euros and has 6,000 employees.
Designer, prime contractor and integrator of systems and provider of value-added services, Thales Communications is the global architect of information and communication systems that fulfil the operational requirements of armed and security forces worldwide. Present in 14 countries, Thales Communications achieves a turnover of about 1.5 billion euros and employs 9000 persons over the world.
Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EURO 25 billion in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
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Alcatel Space And Thales Team Up To Win Two New French Space Contracts
