Visit to Thales in France
At Bretigny: live demonstration of the mini drone Spy
Drones, C-UAV, radars and airport security systems on display
On 29 May 2017, some 30 media persons from around the world gathered at Bretigny in France for a 3-day detailed session on Thales and their activities which included factory visits and live demonstrations of some of their innovative products.
Thales is a global technology leader in the aerospace, transport, defence and security markets. With 64,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales has recorded sales turnover of €14.9 billion in 2016. With over 25,000 engineers and researchers on their rolls, Thales designs and deploys
equipment, systems and services to meet security requirements worldwide.
Jean-Marc Grolleau – AETOS Cluster Director, Thales
After arrivals throughout the day in Paris and then being shifted to Bretigny on 29 May, a welcome dinner was organized for the international media gathered there. It was a good opportunity to get to know the Thales officials as well as fellow journalists in a calm and beautiful setting. Next morning, 30 May, we left our hotel to Thales’ hangar in the North Zone for a presentation of ‘Thales in the field of drones’ given by Thibault Trancart - Vice President Marketing and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Strategic project, Thales. This was followed by a presentation of the Nouvelle Aquitaine and Ile-de- France Clusters to highlight this sector of excellence in the field of drones. These very interesting talks and presentations were delivered by Jean-Marc Grolleau – AETOS cluster Director, Thales and Jean-Philippe Bonhomme - Drones Paris Region Cluster Director, Thales. A very interesting session followed, on Thales’ Counter-UAV system by Michel Dechanet - Air Defence Business development Director, Thales.
Thematic workshops in the hangar
We then moved on to the South Zone for a live demonstration of the mini drone Spy’Ranger, which included the installation from scratch to launch, all within a short duration. The Spy’Ranger is on offer to the Indian Armed Forces for which there is a requirement for 200 of the type.
The afternoon session involved ‘Thematic workshops’ inside the hangar. Styled like a mini-trade show where one could talk individually to each company and visit each stand, the themes included ‘Unmanned Warrior with WKP and Halcyon’, ‘Innovation with Stratobus and AUSS’, ‘Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)’, ‘Communication for UAVs’, ‘Counter-UAV’ and ‘Spy’Ranger’. Two SME clusters showed their prowess: the SMEs Ile-de-France cluster and SME AETOS Cluster.
Of particular interest was the SME’s AETOS Cluster with Jean-Marc Grolleau - AETOS cluster Director, Thales as the lead man, very enthusiastic and passionate about his responsibility, much information garnered on his subjects. Some highlights were the DRONISOS (firefighter, tool for the SNCF etc), Drone Protect System Skeyetech (smart surveillance system drone), Helipse manufacturer for helicopter drones (with a new model HE220E), Reflet du Monde (long distance drone including a satellite communication solution), Nethis (Capteur Terahertz to see through materials) and the Helper Drone which is used to save lives (beach surveillance and so on).
Ever since the AETOS cluster was set up in 2010 as a joint initiative by Thales and the Aquitaine regional authorities, the Group has been actively involved in developing unmanned air systems and services industry in this region of South-West France. Led by Jean-Marc Grolleau of Thales, the cluster has attracted some 60 companies from every part of the UAS value chain. Some of these are technology providers, NeTHIS for example, developing terahertz imaging systems that can “see through” matter while others design complete unmanned systems. Fly-n-Sense, for instance, was the first company ever authorised by the air traffic control authorities to deploy a civil UAS in French airspace. The cluster also includes service providers offering flight time by the hour or developing turnkey solutions for customers, as well as training schools for UAS operators and the CESA test centre, which provides facilities for flight testing unmanned air systems at several sites in the Aquitaine region.
“Thales has a long and extensive experience in military unmanned air systems, and as a co-founder of the AETOS cluster we want to support the major ecosystem that is now emerging around unmanned systems and services. The cluster has attracted other large companies, including Airbus, Safran and Dassault, as well as numerous SMEs and start-ups serving different parts of the aerospace market,” stated Jean-Marc Grolleau.
One of Thales’s specific objectives is to promote collaborative developments and innovative products by working hand-inhand with some of the SMEs and research institutes taking part in the UAS cluster initiative. The CARUS project (Cooperative Autonomous Reconfigurable UAV Swarm), for example, is a collaborative venture with several SMEs and the LaBRI research lab (Laboratoire Bordelais de Recherche Informatique) aiming to prove the feasibility of a swarm of UAVs conducting a mission autonomously. In other words, making their own decisions without being controlled from the ground at every step.
In addition to these futuristic projects, cluster members have developed a number of fully operational unmanned air systems, some of which are already commercially available. Several projects conducted at the AETOS cluster have demonstrated the operational and economic benefits of unmanned air systems in various applications and are now being developed into products and solutions for customers. Several SMEs have already moved into the production phase. Fly-n-Sense, as mentioned before, is offering an unmanned air system that can fly over a wildfire front and transmit real-time images to a command centre, helping the authorities to make critical decisions about the resources needed on the ground. The system is being proposed to fire-fighters in France and has already been selected in Canada.
Thales’s involvement in the cluster goes well beyond promoting innovative R&D projects. A number of Thales employees are taking part in the dedicated training modules
offered by Bordeaux University and various engineering schools to help tomorrow’s specialists understand the science and culture of unmanned air systems. And so, after an intense but most interesting day, we boarded a bus to our next destination which was Rouen.
On 31 May, at the Thales Rouen site, there were presentations on activities with a radar activity focus. Talking to us on these topics were Marc Fiolin, Director of Rouen Thales site and Thierry Le Joncour, Director for surface civil radar activities, Thales. More details were given on new
generation radars by Gaston Marcantoni, Director for surface multi-functions radar activities, Thales.
Later we were introduced to Thales’ Factory of the Future and the Company Group vision as well with focus on the Factory 4.0 with the Sea Fire 500 radar at Rouen. Presentations by Philippe Chamoret, Vice President Industry, Thales, Marc Fiolin, Director of Rouen Thales site and Philippe Eudeline, Innovation Director for surface radar activities, Thales were informative indeed !
International media and Thales officials in this group photograph in glorious weather!
We walked around the site to see at firsthand operations of the new Trac NG radar and its systems as well as three production centres. Philippe Juge, Product line manager for Air Traffic Management radars, Thales walked us through the details.
As for the military part, we were provided information on the RBE2 AESA radar which
is on order for the Indian Rafales. We also had the opportunity to “discover” two new RBE2 innovations. A presentation on this radar for the international market was provided by Bruno Gilon, Product line manager for combat aircraft, Thales. Handson activities included simulation activities for airborne systems and 3D immersive training.
The Rouen tour continued with a presentation given by Thibault Trancart, Marketing director for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance activities on the Searchmaster radar (and its new developments) and Coast Watcher 100 (CW100). Another hectic day over, we left for the train station for departure to Paris.
On 1 June, at Thales’ Gennevilliers site, we were introduced to Thales’ solutions in the security market. This included airport security solutions from anti-terrorism to new video technology tools. Details on Thales’ radar and airport security solutions will be covered in Vayu’s next issue (Sep/Oct 2017). All in all an excellent visit to Thales. Vayu thanks the entire team at Thales in France who managed to put together such an extensive plan and discussing such a wide variety of topics/products (in such an efficient manner). And of course, a special “Thank you” to Anne- Sophie Malot, Dorothée Bonneil and Cedric Leuerquin who escorted and put up with all our demands throughout the tour!
In the next Issue, we will cover Thales’ radar & airport security systems.
International media and Thales officials in this group photograph in glorious weather!
The Spy’Ranger mini-UAS
Spy’Ranger is a latest-generation mini-UAS with the “only EO/IR imaging system in the world” capable of transmitting high-definition electro-optical and infrared imagery in real time. The system draws on a decade of experience of micro- and mini-UAV systems with the French armed forces and offers particularly high levels of endurance. It is deployed with the Spy’C automatic command-andcontrol software already adopted by the French land forces. Designed to operate in extreme, non-permissive environments, this new-generation system gathers
and transmits accurate, operational beyond-line-of-sight image intelligence for joint battlegroup and brigade-level units. It is interoperable with France’s multi-sensor image interpretation and dissemination system (MINDS/SAIM) to generate imagery that can be used directly in operational C4I systems for frontline mission planning and multi-sensor manoeuvres by forward units. The Spy’Ranger system is transportable in a tactical backpack and offers a range of different deployment options. The air vehicle was purpose-designed with a specialised French firm to withstand the wide range of climatic conditions encountered in different theatres of operations and to provide outstanding performance in the critical take-off and landing phases.
Installation, presentation and then walk around before the launch of the Spy’Ranger
Spy’Ranger deploys a high-performance EO/IR imaging system. The airframe is made of a special, patented composite material for robustness and resilience. The design was fully proven through an iterative process of in-flight testing. Based on operational feedback from customers, the system provides an optimal combination of endurance, imaging performance, robustness, resilience, security and life-cycle costs.
Thales is planning to participate for an Indian requirement for upto 200 UAS systems. The company is already in talks with, “a couple of companies in India, checking what we can do with them,” Thibault Trancart, Vice President Marketing and ISR Strategic Projects, stated. Thales will deliver the first batch of Spy’Ranger UAS to France next year. The 14.5kg aircraft has a range of 30km and an endurance of two and a half hours.
Thales Q1 2017 order intake and sales
Thales has announced its order intake and sales for Q1 2017. As per Patrice Caine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, “The start of 2017 has confirmed the solid momentum of all of our businesses, with organic sales growth ahead of the full year target, driven by both mature and emerging markets. Order intake for the first quarter of 2017 is in line with our expectations. We remain focused on implementing all the initiatives undertaken as part of our Ambition 10 strategy and we confirm our 2017 sales growth and profitability objectives.”
In Q1 2017, order intake amounted to €2,281 million, down 1% compared to Q1 2016 (down 2% at constant scope and currency). Order intake for the Aerospace segment fell 9% to €938 million, compared to €1,030 million in Q1 2016. Order intake for the space and commercial avionics activities increased compared to the previous year, unlike the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) and Training & Simulation businesses which did not see any significant contracts during the period, in contrast with Q1 2016. Order intake for the Defence & Security segment rose 8% to €1,112 million, from €1,030 million in Q1 2016.
Sales for Q1 2017 stood at €3,058 million, compared to €2,732 million in Q1 2016, up 11.9% on a reported basis, and up 11.0% at constant scope and currency (“organic” change). Sales in the Aerospace segment totalled €1,252 million, a sharp 17.3% increase compared to Q1 2016 (up 16.2% at constant scope and currency), reflecting a favourable basis of comparison in In-Flight Entertainment, which had recorded a temporarily low level of activity in Q1 2016, and robust sales growth in the Space segment, driven primarily by the observation, exploration and navigation businesses, which brought in several large orders in 2015 and 2016.
Sales in the Defence & Security segment represented €1,511 million, up 9.0% compared to Q1 2016 (up 8.0% at constant scope and currency). “This segment continues to enjoy a broad based momentum, driven notably by the major contract wins of 2015 and 2016, military telecommunications networks and cybersecurity activities.”
Thales and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited have signed an MoU to assess the opportunity for transfer of technology of the STARStreak missile. (Photo taken at Aero India 2017 at the Thales stand.)
Thales in India
Catherine Thermal Imagers on Indian Army T-90 tanks
Present in India since 1953, Thales has over 300 employees working with its wholly-owned Indian subsidiary, Thales India Pvt. Ltd. Headquartered in New Delhi, Thales has various operational offices and sites that are spread across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai, among others. Thales strategy of developing its industrial footprint in India is in line with the Indian government’s policy of ‘Make in India’ and for developing the defence base of the country. With this as the backdrop, Thales has formed various co-operative partnerships with public and private sector industries. It has been closely associated with HAL for over 50 years and has formed JVs with Samtel, BEL and L&T Technology Services.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Thales has been working closely with HAL for over 50 years. Thales has been providing high-end avionics to equip various platforms that HAL is designing.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): The JV Company was incorporated in August 2014 as BEL-Thales Systems Limited (BTSL). Thales holds 26% equity in the joint venture, while Bharat Electronics holds 74 % of the stake. The JV is dedicated to the design, development, marketing, supply and support of civilian and select military ground based radars for India and the global markets. In March 2016, Thales and BTSL signed a partnership agreement for joint development of the Pharos fire control radar for gun and missile systems.
Samtel: Thales signed a JV agreement with Samtel in 2008 to locally develop and produce helmet mounted sights and displays, military avionic and airborne sensor systems for the defence market. Samtel Avionics Limited holds 74% of the stake and Thales 26%. The JV is fully operational and the facility is based in Noida. The production of displays for the Mirage 2000 upgrade programme by this JV will pave the way for future opportunities to serve local and export markets.
L&T Technology Services: In June 2014, Thales and L&T Technology Services formed a JV with a view to develop software engineering activities in India, particularly in the avionics domain.
BDL: At Aero India 2017, Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess opportunities for the transfer of technology of STARStreak missile capability to India with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom (UK).
On the defence front, on 23 September 2016, the Indian Government contracted for 36 Rafale omnirole combat aircraft. Rafale’s new export success “demonstrates Thales’ ability, alongside Dassault Aviation and its partners, to constantly meet the customer’s highest expectations through innovation, mastery of advanced technology and industrial excellence”.
Thales provides a number of state-of-theart equipment and systems on board the Rafale. These include the provision of RBE2 AESA radar, the Spectra electronic warfare system, optronics, the communication navigation and identification system (CNI), the majority of the cockpit display systems, power generation systems and a logistics support component.
In July 2011, Thales and Dassault Aviation had signed a contract for the upgrade of the Indian Air Force’s Mirage 2000 fleet, the upgrade to enhance technical-operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s Mirage 2000. As a result, the IAF will have a coherent platform-system combination for the next 20 years. The IAF’s air potential will be further enhanced by the integration of new capabilities. Four upgraded Mirage 2000 aircraft have been delivered to the Indian Air Force, the rest of the fleet being upgraded under the responsibility of HAL with the support of Dassault Aviation and Thales teams, as per the contract.
In addition, Thales has also signed other major contracts with the Indian Ministry of Defence. For the IAF, there are radars and systems (GS100), avionics & INGPS (Inertial Navigation and Global Positioning System) for military aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, MiG-21 and-27, Su-30MKI, reconnaissance pods Vicon 91, IFF (Identification friend or foe) and INGPS for the MiG-29s.
For the Indian Navy, there are electronic warfare (EW) systems, anti-submarine warfare sonar systems and minehunting solutions as well as long-range surveillance radar LW08 and DA04.
For the Indian Army, Thales optronics include Hand Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI) and Catherine Thermal Imagers on T-90 tanks. As for air defence radars, there is the Flycatcher Mk1 in operation.
Thales’ RBE2 AESA radar: soon for the IAF
Rafales