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Thales Communications and BAE SYSTEMS achieve major milestone on Type 45 destroyer communications programme

21 Aug 2002

Thales Communications Ltd and BAE Systems C4ISR have achieved a major milestone in their partnership to design and supply the Fully Integrated Communications System (FICS) for the Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyers with the completion of the First Stage of a phased Critical Design Review (CDR). This now provides a firm foundation for the implementation and integration of the full FICS, supporting the entry of the first-of-class ship in 2007.

The FICS is a component part of the Type 45 Combat System. It will provide an integrated and automated, external and internal communications system that supports the class requirements for voice, data and video. These capabilities will be provided in a secure and transparent manner using a system design that has inherent flexibility, availability and survivability.

Thales Communications Ltd, chosen by the T45 Prime Contract Office to act as prime contractor and system design authority for the FICS programme, is responsible for the communications transfer system, external radio systems, satellite communications, and voice and video systems. Thales subcontracted to BAE Systems - within a 50/50 workshare agreement - responsibility for prime systems integration, risk management, security accreditation, system management and messaging.

A key feature of the FICS project is the pull-through of technology and products proven within existing programmes, reducing risk and non-recurring expenditure, within an open systems design capable of cost-effective future enhancement and growth.

Thales Communications Ltd and BAE Systems have extensive experience of naval communications. This is typified in current joint projects such as the Integrated Communications Management System (ICMS) for the Royal Navy's new Landing Platform Dock Replacement.