Thales To Develop France's CERES Space-Borne Military Intelligence System

Key points

• Contract to build space signals intelligence system for the French military awarded to Thales and Airbus Defence and Space.
• The contract covers the whole space segment and user ground segment, as well as through-life support.
• Thales has responsibility for the satellite payload and user ground segment. 

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has selected Thales and Airbus Defence and Space as co-prime contractors for the design and construction of France's future military spaced-based signals intelligence (SIGINT) system, which is due to enter service by 2020.

In addition to its role as overall system co-prime contractor, Thales has responsibility for the mission payload on board the satellites and for the user ground segment in charge of programming the satellites and the data processing.

CERES (Capacité de Renseignement Electromagnétique d’origine Spatiale) will provide the French armed forces with an operational space-based SIGINT capability. Three closely positioned satellites will detect and locate radiocommunications and radars. The system also includes a ground control segment, to be provided by the French space agency CNES, and the user ground segment.

Airbus Defence and Space will have responsibility for the space segment, comprising the three satellites that will integrate the SIGINT payloads. Thales Alenia Space will supply the platform under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space.

Intelligence is one of four priorities identified by the French defence white paper, and funding was earmarked for SIGINT, including the CERES programme, under the 2014-2019 defence spending plan.