BepiColombo is Europe's first mission to Mercury, named after the renowned Italian professor Giuseppe Colombo, and it commenced its journey in October 2018. This ambitious deep space exploration mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with Airbus playing a crucial role in its development. BepiColombo aims to investigate Mercury's unique internal structure, magnetic field generation, and its interactions with the Sun and solar wind. Additionally, the mission will explore surface features and chemical compositions, including the presence of ice in permanently shadowed craters at the planet's poles. By providing valuable insights into Mercury, BepiColombo is set to enhance our understanding of the solar system's smallest and least-explored terrestrial planet.
Eurostar Neo is a high-performance communications satellite platform designed for a wide array of missions, offering unmatched reliability in orbit. This fully customizable geostationary (GEO) satellite is compatible with all launch vehicles and is recognized as the industry benchmark for in-orbit performance. Drawing on over 30 years of heritage from the Eurostar family, Eurostar Neo features an optimized payload-centric design that enhances mission capacity and a scalable power system capable of supporting payloads ranging from 7 to 24 kW. With 100% all-electric propulsion and a launch mass between 3 to 6.8 tons, Eurostar Neo has garnered over 90 orders and boasts more than 1,000 years of successful operational experience, making it a trusted choice for telecommunications and navigation applications worldwide.
OneSat is a groundbreaking telecommunications satellite developed by Airbus, designed to transform the satellite market by offering unprecedented flexibility and adaptability. This innovative satellite platform is fully reconfigurable in orbit, allowing it to respond to evolving mission scenarios and new market demands without the need for physical modifications. Built on a standard, modular design-to-manufacture approach, OneSat can be delivered more rapidly and at a lower cost compared to traditional telecommunications satellites. It includes an integrated ground system and software suite that maximizes the satellite's capabilities, providing an end-to-end solution for operators. With its software-defined architecture and streamlined production process, OneSat is poised to address future challenges in space communications effectively.
Airbus is a global leader in spacecraft design and manufacturing, particularly in the development of large satellite constellations, which requires innovative approaches to optimize costs and enhance performance. With over 600 OneWeb satellites successfully launched, Airbus stands out as one of the few manufacturers capable of completing a telecommunications satellite constellation. Building on its extensive experience with traditional geostationary satellite assembly methods, Airbus has established a unique assembly line in Toulouse, France, and Merritt Island, USA, along with an advanced procurement supply chain. This expertise has led to the creation of the ARROW platform, designed to adapt to the specific needs of high-performance space applications while ensuring efficiency and scalability in satellite production.
Airbus is at the forefront of military space solutions, providing critical space-based products and services that enhance defense and security capabilities. With a focus on communication, navigation, and real-time intelligence and surveillance, Airbus ensures that military forces remain connected and capable of managing the increasing volume of data required for effective operations. Their military satellite communication solutions are designed to be secure, flexible, and scalable, enabling users to exchange vital information seamlessly across various domains—on the ground, at sea, in the air, and in orbit. Additionally, Airbus's military Earth observation satellites empower nations to improve their strategic planning and decision-making processes, reinforcing national security and sovereignty in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) represents a groundbreaking approach to modern air combat, enabling seamless collaboration between manned and unmanned assets to achieve shared mission objectives. This innovative concept enhances the capabilities of crewed aircraft by integrating smart, connected, and modular unmanned systems through a distributed network of intelligence, effectively acting as force multipliers while keeping pilots out of harm's way. MUM-T is pivotal for the development of Remote Carriers, a key component of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), designed to operate alongside fighter jets in complex combat environments. These Remote Carriers can serve as remote sensors with versatile payload options for ISTAR missions and possess direct engagement capabilities against threats, both kinetically and non-kinetically, making them essential allies in future aerial warfare.
Airbus provides a comprehensive range of target drone systems designed to deliver realistic and cost-effective training for ground and naval air defense and air-to-air combat scenarios. With over 50 years of experience, Airbus has successfully conducted more than 3,500 missions and deployed over 2,300 direct targets, establishing itself as a leader in aerial target solutions. The offerings include towed airborne targets, direct airborne targets, and surface targets, all tailored to meet specific customer needs. Airbus Defence and Space also delivers customized training missions that simulate complex threat environments, enabling armed forces to enhance their operational readiness through realistic training experiences. The integration of advanced technology ensures that these target systems effectively replicate various combat scenarios, providing invaluable training support for military personnel.
DeckFinder™ is a high-precision local positioning system designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles in challenging environmental conditions. This advanced navigation system enables accurate determination of an aircraft's relative position, facilitating safer take-off and landing procedures in GPS-denied environments where visual cues are limited. Particularly useful for operations on small or moving helidecks, DeckFinder™ mitigates risks by providing a detailed 3-dimensional image of the UAS's position, ensuring that even minor discrepancies are addressed to prevent mission compromise. Proven and fully integrated into various platforms, DeckFinder™ is an essential tool for modern military operations, enhancing situational awareness and operational success in diverse scenarios.
The Airbus C295 is a versatile tactical transport aircraft renowned for its reliability and capability to perform a wide range of missions, including troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, surveillance and reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and airborne firefighting. With a maximum payload capacity of up to eight tons, the C295 is designed to operate in diverse environments and can land on short and unpaved runways, making it ideal for both military and humanitarian operations. Its proven performance is backed by over 300 aircraft under contract, demonstrating its effectiveness as a dependable workhorse for armed forces and organizations worldwide. The C295's adaptability and efficiency ensure it meets the evolving needs of modern missions across various operational theaters.
SKYNET is a highly resilient and secure military satellite communication system developed by Airbus, serving as the trusted partner of the UK Ministry of Defence. This advanced X-band satellite constellation, along with its robust ground network, provides comprehensive Beyond Line of Sight communications for UK military operations. SKYNET delivers a world-class end-to-end service that ensures multi-domain integration, enabling forces to access critical information precisely when needed. Meeting the stringent security standards set by the UK Ministry of Defence, SKYNET offers users a full spectrum of interfaces for secure voice and data transmission across various networks, ensuring reliable communication capabilities anywhere in the world.
The Syracuse IV is a cutting-edge satellite-based telecommunications program designed to provide secure communications for the French Armed Forces across all operational scenarios. Comprising two military satellites, Syracuse 4A and 4B, along with ground stations supporting the Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force, this fourth-generation system enhances long-range communications between operational areas and decision-making centers in mainland France. With increased capacity, higher throughput, and improved resistance to jamming, Syracuse IV addresses the evolving demands of battlefield digitalization while ensuring reliable data transmission through its advanced ground segment development throughout the 2020s.
Thales's HF Wideband Tactical Radios provide secure and reliable communication capabilities for military operations, ensuring effective connectivity in challenging environments. Designed to meet the demands of modern warfare, these radios offer enhanced data throughput and operational flexibility, allowing armed forces to maintain communication across extensive distances. With advanced features such as multiple waveform support and robust encryption, the HF Wideband Tactical Radios facilitate secure voice and data transmission, enabling seamless coordination among units in both land and maritime operations. Their lightweight design and ease of integration make them ideal for various tactical scenarios, empowering military personnel to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving threats on the battlefield.
Thales's Ground Observer 20 MM (GO20 MM) is a cutting-edge ground surveillance radar system designed to enhance situational awareness on the battlefield by providing early detection of a wide range of threats. In an era where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose significant challenges to traditional defense systems, the GO20 MM offers a comprehensive solution with its permanent 360° coverage, allowing for real-time monitoring of threats from all directions. This advanced radar system is capable of effectively detecting both ground and aerial targets, ensuring that armed forces can implement timely countermeasures and maintain operational effectiveness. By integrating this technology, Thales empowers military personnel to stay ahead of evolving threats and enhance their overall protection in complex combat environments.
Thales's Joint Fire Support System is designed to enhance the effectiveness of land forces in high-intensity conflicts, where artillery plays a critical role in modern warfare. This comprehensive solution, rooted in the French ATLAS program, facilitates the digitization of field artillery and supports a full spectrum of military operations, from headquarters to the combat area. By integrating advanced capabilities such as intelligence gathering, observation, secure communications, target acquisition, command and maneuvering, counter-fire operations, and logistics, Thales ensures that armed forces can execute fire support missions with precision and efficiency. The system promotes digital transformation and collaborative combat, empowering armies worldwide to respond effectively to emerging threats and maintain operational superiority on the battlefield.
Thales's Counter RCIED Electronic Protection system is designed to combat the growing threat posed by Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs), which have become prevalent in various conflict zones due to their cost-effectiveness against advanced weaponry. This system leverages Thales's extensive experience in Communications Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) to provide robust solutions for detecting and inhibiting RCIEDs, thereby enhancing the safety of military personnel and operations. By integrating advanced electronic defense equipment, Thales enables armed forces to effectively mitigate the risks associated with RCIED proliferation, ensuring operational effectiveness and reducing casualties in complex battlefield environments.
