simmad - Thales

SIMMAD
Thales and SIMMAD announce through-life support contract
for optronic payload in service with French forces
A new milestone in availability-based support contracts for the armed forces
Neuilly-sur-Seine, 27 February 2014 – Thales and the French defence ministry's integrated
through-life support structure for aeronautical equipment and systems (SIMMAD) announced
today the awarding of the AMADEOS contract1, a six-year agreement worth €164 million.
Under this agreement, Thales will provide through-life support and availability management
services for optronic equipment and systems on-board aircraft in service with the French Army,
Air Force and Navy, including Rafale, Mirage 2000, ATL2, Puma, Caracal and Falcon 50.
AMADEOS bundles several earlier through-life support agreements into a single contract to
enhance coordination and availability management of optronic payloads in cooperation with the
French forces. The new contract will also simplify obsolescence management and optimise the
cost and availability.
AMADEOS covers all the optronic payloads supplied by Thales to the French forces, with the
exception of Rafale’s front-sector optronics suite (OSF) that is supported under the MAESTRO2
contract, and RECO NG pod, for which through-life support formed part of the initial
procurement contract.
Thales will install and operate a data management system to enhance the exchange of
information with the French armed forces, and provide on-site technical assistance at airbases.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In
2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its
25,000 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 and local
partners. www.thalesgroup.com
1
Association des Maintiens en condition opérationnelle et Amélioration de la Disponibilité des
Equipements Optroniques en Service dans les forces (Association of through-life support and
improvement of availability of optronic equipment in service in the forces)
2
MAESTRO : MAintien en condition opérationnelle des Equipements B et des moyens de SoutienThales
du Rafale Optimisé (Optimised through-life support for Thales Class B equipment andsupport systems for
Rafale)
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Press contact:
Thales, Media relations
Defence Aerospace
Emmanuelle Le Fol
Tel. +33 1 57 77 91 71
[email protected]
About SIMMAD
SIMMAD is the French defence ministry's integrated through-life support structure for aeronautical
equipment and systems. The organisation manages support for 1,300 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft of 46
different types owned by the three branches of the armed forces: the French defence procurement
agency, the Gendarmerie Nationale and civil defence agencies.
SIMMAD has responsibility for technical, logistical and procurement aspects of through-life support in
order to optimise support provision and delivery.
Managing a budget of close to €1.8 billion, SIMMAD places or renews approximately 250 procurement
contracts a year and works with more than 300 private contractors, of which 42 are subsidiaries of eight
major industrial groups.
Press contact:
Cmdr. Luc Andrieu
SIMMAD Chief of Staff
+33 1 45 52 48 52
[email protected]