The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has appointed Thales as prime contractor for the Melchior programme, which will provide the French armed forces with a new-generation high-frequency (HF) tactical transit and access communication system. The contract, worth 252 million euros, calls for development and production of the system and subsequent through-life support.

The Melchior programme will provide French Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces units with a vital component of theatre communications that will be highly secure and interoperable with NATO systems.

The contract also calls for migration to the Melchior standard of the Carthage (HF tactical communication system currently in service) and Matilde (programme to upgrade French forces’ long-range communication capabilities) HF tactical communication systems in service and currently deployed in outside theatres of operations. Based on a family of latest-generation HF radio equipment and terminals, Melchior will incorporate protocols and waveforms compliant with NATO standards. The system will also integrate commercial IP technology to provide highly secure voice, data and messaging services.

It will provide long-range links and will be complement satcom capabilities on joint and allied operations. In addition, new multimedia capabilities will enhance connectivity between HF terminals and other information and communication systems operated by the French armed forces. New-generation (TRC 3700) Carthage HF radio sets delivered from 2005 will support the Melchior standard. The initial version of the system and the first 100 Melchior terminals will be delivered in early 2007. By the end of the decade, over 1,200 Melchior terminals will be produced and all existing Carthage and Matilde HF terminals will be upgraded to make up a complement of close to 2,000 Melchior systems.

With its tactical HF equipment and systems installed in more than 35 countries, Thales continues to strengthen its leadership in tactical communications and is ready to work with the armed forces of these countries to migrate their systems on the basis of Melchior technologies and associated international standards. 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
03.07.2005