Thales UK wins contract in excess of £50M for the FALCON Programme
21 August 2006
Thales UK is a key partner in the BAE Systems FALCON team, which has been awarded a contract to supply the first increment of the FALCON information infrastructure programme.
FALCON will support the Army's command systems by providing a new high capacity, secure information system infrastructure capability at the operational and tactical levels of command that can be deployed rapidly by air into any theatre of operations. The system has greatly improved data throughput, multi-level security, mobility and manpower efficiencies compared with current systems. The Bowman tactical system and Cormorant command system will feed information into FALCON, which will be able to link back to UK headquarters using the Skynet 5 satellite communications system. In line with the Defence Industrial Strategy, FALCON is key to the "Resilient Information Infrastructure" of Network Enabled Capability (NEC) by providing the modern, secure communications infrastructure required by deployed formations and operating bases.
Thales is supplying the Transmission Subsystem (TxSS) and cryptographic security components. The TxSS is a best of breed solution, which provides a high degree of operational flexibility. The Thales TRC4000 34Mbps Band IV line of sight radio is complemented by the Ultra GRC-245 Band I/III+ radio. Both of these radios offer an excellent combination of range, bandwidth and functionality, together with impressive physical and electronic resilience. Lightweight composite masts from Mastsystem of Finland and Thales' Datacryptor Model 3T Link Encryptors complete the TxSS.
In addition to the Link Encryptor, Thales is also supplying Datacryptor Model 3T IP Packet Network Encryptors. Both of these security products offer an innovative and cost-effective solution by utilising Thales' proven programmable cryptographic technology, which will reduce overall programme costs and bring FALCON into service quickly. The ability to upgrade via technology insertion provides future proofing ensuring that the system will remain up to date as technology advances. Thales will also supply the Datacryptor Model 3T's flexible key management solution adapted for tactical applications.
Alex Dorrian, Chief Executive of Thales UK said, "Thales UK has for many years been at the forefront of military communications. We have secured a key role on this critical information infrastructure project and are making a major contribution to the BAE Systems team. The programme will ensure that our capabilities in this area will continue to develop for the future."
Notes to Editors
1. FALCON will provide the battlefield communications infrastructure to support the Army's command systems. The Bowman tactical system will feed information into FALCON, which will be able to link back to UK headquarters using the Skynet 5 satellite communications, system.
2. Falcon replaces in service systems such as Ptarmigan, Euromux, and the RAF Transportable Telecommunications System (RTTS) and will permit transmission of large amounts of data between Army Headquarters and battlefield commanders.
3. Thales is a leading worldwide supplier of certified network security products and a trusted partner to most UK government departments. For more than 20 years the company has been at the forefront of security technology such as cryptography. Thales's capability in network encryption (and Information assurance) ranges from satellite and critical military communications to government departments and is approved up to TOP SECRET in several countries.
About Thales UK
Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. Thales employs 9,000 staff in the UK and 60,000 people in 50 countries. In 2005, Thales UK's revenues were over £1bn.
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