Thales to reinforce airspace surveillance capabilities for French Armed Forces with STAR NG and RSM NG radars.

Within a new contract, Thales is to provide next-generation primary and secondary approach radars, STAR NG and RSM NG to renew the fleet of approach radars for French air and naval bases from 2025, as part of the Detection 22 program within phase 5 of the DGA project SCCOA.
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Thales co-mounted STAR NG & RSM NG radar to contribute to French Air Force air surveillance capabilities (Picture source: Thales/Carlos-Ayesta-Capa)

As announced by the French Ministry of Defence, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has launched stage 5 of the modernization program with the replacement of fixed and mobile radars and the renewal of the command and control air defense system. Among multiple activities, this contract will provide French Air forces with a high-performing air surveillance solution from best in class Thales civilian radar portfolio adapted to operate in a military environment.

With the provision of Thales next-generation primary and secondary approach radars, STAR NG and RSM NG, air surveillance will be guaranteed 24/7, with improved operational capabilities and detection performances, as well as meeting the key objective of combining obsolescence treatment, compliance with national and European regulations.

Since the first delivery in 1970, Thales’ portfolio is contributing to airspace protection with a full range of radars to manage air surveillance and airport/airbase terminal areas. With the portfolio of primary, the STAR NG (an approach primary radar) and the TRAC NG (an En-Route primary radar) detect non-cooperative aircraft identification, aircraft without transponders or with faulty transponders, capable of detecting targets of all sizes, conducting wind farm mitigation and providing a great operational range. And the secondary portfolio with the renowned RSM and the latest innovation the RSM NG to detect and identify cooperative aircraft.

At the forefront of new technologies, investing in R&D and capitalizing on 50 years of Air Traffic Control experience, Thales has introduced many leading innovations for airspace safety to accompany evolving customer needs in both civil and military domains, as well as ensuring compliance with the latest safety regulations to provide safe and accurate, approach and en-route surveillance.

Recent innovations on the co-mounted primary STAR NG and secondary RSM-NG, include a meta-sensor radar, as well as the renewal of its entire portfolio of radars less than 3 years ago. Upgrades and new designs include a family of radars with higher performances, especially for precision and detection, development of new features such as electronic protection measures, 3D/altimetry, detection of low/zero speed aircraft (such as helicopters), high speed/high maneuverability aircraft (such as fighters) or merging traditional Mode S with ADS-B detection to enhance sensor performance.

“Thales is pleased to contribute to strengthening air detection capabilities with the provision of STAR NG and RSM NG primary and secondary radars. The contract demonstrates the flexibility of Thales products to match civilian as well military needs, reinforcing the dual usage option offered by Thales solutions: STAR NG, RSM NG and TRAC NG represent reference products with more than 1000 radars deployed in the world, certain of which are already in use in military environments. Thales’s track record to detect at all times - ensuring critical air safety and air surveillance with a solid reputation for performance and reliability is our trademark” - Lionel de Castellane, Vice President Civil Radars Segment, Thales.

Defense News April 2023