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Thales DUMAS Demonstrator Successfully Passes Phase 1 of Seeker Technology Demonstrator Programme

18 July 2006

Under the auspices of the European Defence Agency, the French Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have also approved the 3-year Build, Test and Data Gathering Phase 2 of the £4.1m contract to supply a missile seeker technology demonstrator. The MoD, DGA and Industry are jointly funding the four-year programme, under the auspices of the European Research Grouping Arrangement No.1. (EUROPA MOU). The DUMAS project will provide demonstrator hardware for flight trials on board a French PUMA helicopter in 2007/8.

Phase 1 of the programme captured the requirements for all levels of the system, defined the architecture, and produced the initial design definition. Key elements of the system were designed for missile fit, form and function, and parallel risk reduction activities successfully focussed on the downsizing of key components and sub-systems for future weapon applications. Development of the initial version of algorithms for image processing, classification, tracking and aim point selection, was also completed and these activities enabled a preliminary description of the design and cost of a future production version to be produced.

DUMAS provides Thales with a key opportunity to further its capability in the emerging infrared seeker market. A production version of DUMAS may have application in a number of programmes, including the UK MoD's SPEAR (Selectable Precision Effects At Range), the French DGA's AASM (Armement Air Sol Modulaire*) and the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG** programmes.

DUMAS is the result of several years of research work, jointly funded by MoD and DGA. In the UK, original conceptual research carried out by QinetiQ evolved into the QinetiQ-managed and Thales UK's missile electronics business-led Dual-Mode Imaging Infra-Red and Laser (DMIIRL) seeker. Thales' missile electronics business in France carried out conceptual studies, mathematical modelling and breadboarding for an air-to-air, dual mode infrared and laser seeker, through DGA-funded contracts (ADELIE).

DUMAS technology combines an active infrared scanning laser and a passive infrared detector which, used in conjunction with sophisticated algorithms, detects, images and identifies targets.
DUMAS will improve existing and new missile systems by increasing target search areas and by providing powerful automated target identification capabilities.

The Thales UK offices are managing the programme and lead the seeker integration, mechanical design, and joint algorithm design and modelling activity. Thales teams in France provide the overall engineering lead and head the infrared and laser sensor designs and seeker trials (utilising DGA test facilities). QinetiQ are working alongside Thales UK on the advanced seeker algorithms and the control processor.

John Copley, Managing Director of Thales UK's missile electronics business said, "Successful, on-time, completion of Phase 1 of the DUMAS Technology Demonstrator Programme demonstrates the capabilities and strengths of the Thales missile electronics units in UK and France. We anticipate similar success on the final 3-year Phase 2 of the programme, which supports the plan to increase the business' seeker capabilities and represents a major opportunity for future growth."

* AASM: Modular air-to-surface weapon.
** SCALP-EG: Stand-off long range cruise missile.

Editors' Notes:

In 2004, following discussions between the UK MoD DSTL and France's DGA, the two Governments decided to pursue a joint programme to further capabilities and signed a project agreement on DUMAS. The decision was taken to use WEAO as the appropriate mechanism to conduct the competition and manage the programme on behalf of the two Governments. On 21 March 2006 the contract was novated to the European Defence Agency.

About Thales:

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. The Group employs 60,000 people throughout the world and generated revenues of 10.3 billion euros in 2004.

Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. Thales UK employs 9,000 staff and in 2005 revenues were over £1bn.

QinetiQ:

QinetiQ (pronounced ki net ik as in 'kinetic energy') is a leading international defence and security technology company that was formed in July 2001 from the UK Government's Defence Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA). QinetiQ has over 11,400 employees, who deliver technology-based services and exploit QinetiQ's strengths in technology research by selling systems solutions, products, managed services and licences to government and commercial customers in a spectrum of defence, security and other commercial markets, and by creating technology based ventures. In February 2006, QinetiQ Group plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange (main market) and joined the FTSE250 in June 2006. In the year to 31 March 2006, QinetiQ delivered a 37.6 per cent rise in underlying operating profit to £90.7m on turnover which rose by 22.9 per cent to £1,051.7m.