Paris, 11 June 2024 - FSAF-PAAMS Programme, OCCAR-EA staff members
visited Thales Land & Air Systems (LAS) premises, Thales being part of the
Eurosam joint venture, the ground and naval air-defence systems design
authority of FSAF-PAAMS systems. These visits provided the FSAF-PAAMS team with
an opportunity to view the first prototype module and main areas for future
serial production.
The FSAF-PAAMS PD toured the three primary Thales facilities integral to
the “Sustainment & Enhancement” FSAF-PAAMS contract, the latter being
placed by OCCAR-EA to Eurosam for the development and production of new
capabilities, to include the Aster 30 B1 New Technology and, since 2021,
the new generation of the ground based-air defence system, namely SAMP/T NG.
The first visit was held on 6
June, 2024 focusing on the development
activities performed by Thales, mainly from Rungis site of Thales LAS. These activities
relate to SAMP/T NG Firing Control Unit on both hardware and software, together
with their partner MBDA Italy, as well as PAAMS C² software in-service support.
Dedicated platforms located in Rungis have been introduced as mandatory
industrial tools to achieve the expected level of maturity of the systems
before trials and firing from the field. PAAMS SW platform, SAMP/T FCU NG
Reference platform, SAMP/T ME NG SW platform, as well as the simulation
platform are intensively being used for the benefit of the qualification
activities.
The second visit took place on 11
June 2024 in
Fleury-Les-Aubrais. The visit concentrated on future SAMP/T NG production, whilst
also offering an overview of current support activities that are conducted on SAMP/T
systems. Fleury-Les-Aubrais is the main production site for all future
Engagement Modules of the French variant, and for the regrouping activities that
are to be performed for each firing section prior to delivery to the French Participating
State. Moreover, the prototype designated for the SAMP/T NG qualification
trials has recently completed its last integration steps in Fleury-Les-Aubrais.
The third and last visit was finally held in Limours, in the afternoon
of 11th June. This is where most of the development, qualification,
and production activities of the French SAMP/T NG variant multifunction radar
GF300 are located. The Ground Fire 300 radar is the new generation of the Active
Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multifunctional radar based on GaN
technology, delivering superior performance against threats.
At Limours is where the final integration of the GF300 radar takes place,
before moving to Fleury for the regrouping acceptance of the SAMP/T NG. The new
radar plays a vital role for the achievement of the SAMP/T NG performance
requirements. OCCAR-EA greatly appreciated the warm welcome and transparency
demonstrated by industry, which has shown tangible implementation of this
cornerstone system for the French and Italian Participating States.