The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Thales UK are working to commercialise the UK’s fully digital radar electronic support measures (RESM) system, which has had its first use in the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer fleet.
…Thales will now have the opportunity to open up international markets…”
A licence agreement has been signed between Thales and Ploughshare Innovations Ltd, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) technology transfer company. It gives Thales the opportunity to further develop and supply the technology to other naval forces beyond the UK MOD.
The direct radio frequency sampling and wideband digital receiver technology was developed as part of Dstl’s research programme, resulting in a complete digital solution from antenna to console.
The system, which has been awarded world patent rights, provides increased quality in the information it contributes to overall situational awareness. In comparison to existing systems, it provides greater accuracy, improved sensitivity and the ability to continue to operate in high density signal environments, while the radical elimination of many expensive microwave components results in a significant benefit in terms of through-life costs.
Thales, working with Dstl, has matured this technology into world class in-service equipment, providing the Royal Navy with a new generation of electronic warfare support and threat-identification capabilities. The system will continue to deliver these into future systems and system upgrades.
Jim Ashe of Ploughshare Innovations says: “Ploughshare is delighted that Thales will now have the opportunity to open up international markets and provide capability to allied nations by taking on this licence.”
Thales is also looking to further invest in the technology and enhance the capability, with the possibility of making land and aircraft-based systems.
Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business says: “Thales is excited to be working with Ploughshare to develop a world-class technology. This is now in-service with the Royal Navy and is providing them with an unrivalled capability, even in the most demanding of theatres. With this exclusive licence, Thales is looking forward to the launch of a new export product later this year.”
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Notes to editors
Dstl
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) maximises the impact of science and technology (S&T) for the defence and security of the UK, supplying sensitive and specialist S&T services for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider government. It starts from the presumption that work should be conducted by external suppliers unless there is a clear reason for it to be done or led by Dstl. At present, around sixty percent of the approximately £400 million MOD non-nuclear defence research programme, managed through Dstl, goes to industry and academia to deliver. Dstl is a trading fund of the MOD, run along commercial lines. It is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to S&T in the defence and security field, with around 3,500 scientists, technologists and engineers at its three main sites: Porton Down, near Salisbury, Portsdown West, near Portsmouth, and Fort Halstead, near Sevenoaks.
www.dstl.gov.uk
Ploughshare Innovations
Ploughshare Innovations manages the commercial licensing to industry of intellectual property developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Ploughshare’s goal is to give clients a competitive edge, by lowering technology risk, reducing R&D costs, speeding time to market, and maximizing the business opportunity. It provides leading edge, application focused technology, backed up with the assurance of advanced IP support and protection. Ploughshare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dstl.
About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a global technology leader for the defence & security and the aerospace & transport markets. In 2011 the company generated revenues of £11.4 bn (€13 bn), with 67,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.
Thales UK employs 8,000 staff based at 35 locations. In 2011 Thales UK’s revenues were around £1.4 bn.