French Military Revamps Vehicle Tech with Cutting-Edge Thales Hybrid Solutions
- The French defense acquisition authority (DGA) has bestowed upon Thales a contract to deliver hybrid networking solutions for French Army vehicles, a groundbreaking option that can be implemented without necessitating alterations to the designs of the platforms.
- Installed on military vehicles like the Griffon, VBCI, and Serval, these kits facilitate access to commercial communication services (OneWeb and 5G), seamlessly integrate them with extensive networking capabilities, and connect communication systems across all tiers from combined/joint forces command to infantry combat vehicles.
- With advancements in cooperative combat driving an increasing demand for connectivity, hybrid solutions will supplement existing robust communication systems (SYRACUSE IV military satellite communications, CONTACT radios, HF radios) to offer elevated data rates, extended range capabilities, and enhanced resilience.
“Thales will be assisting the French Army in its pivotal transition to hybrid communication networks. This latest phase of the ASTRIDE 3 programme will merge technological advancements with a profound comprehension of operational needs to deliver the hyperconnectivity essential for collaborative combat in high-intensity conflict environments,” stated Alexandre Bottero, Vice President, Networks and Infrastructure Systems, Thales.
This hybrid networking technology has been conceived using an agile, iterative methodology in collaboration with the DGA and operational personnel to enhance the communication abilities of French Army vehicles. Given the contemporary advancements in collaborative warfare, the capacity of the armed forces to deploy operational networks of sensors and effectors necessitates improved capabilities concerning massification, usability, and the resilience of military communication frameworks. With this innovative hybrid solution, commercial networks will augment existing hardened communication systems, including LOS radios developed for the ASTRIDE programme, the secure, high-data-rate, jam-resistant military satellite communication services offered by the SYRACUSE satellites, the cutting-edge software-defined radios developed under the CONTACT initiative, and the MELCHIOR series of HF radios.
The hybrid networking solution for OneWeb satcom and 5G services is structured as a non-intrusive kit, eliminating the requirement for design modifications to the vehicle. It presents considerable enhancements in connectivity to bolster operational capabilities in the theater of operations by facilitating more extensive data exchange and closer multi-domain collaboration. The hybrid networking kit features a blend of high performance and user-friendliness, and its modular design is integral to a comprehensive approach encompassing communication systems at all levels, from combined/joint forces command to infantry combat vehicles.
