PARIS — The Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) has appointed Airbus Defence and Space and Thales as joint co-prime contractors, and awarded the two companies the first phase of production, for the and launch of three CERES signals intelligence satellites, the procurement office said.
The budget for production and launch is €450 million, the DGA said in a March 12 (eds: correct) statement. The satellites will enter service by 2020, the office said.
"Three closely positioned satellites will detect and locate radio communications and radars," Thales said in a statement. The electronics company will supply the mission payload and the ground segment.
Airbus DS will supply the three satellites, the company said. Thales Alenia Space will supply the space platform as subcontractor.
"This satellite system will give France a capability that few countries possess," Airbus DS said.
