Thales Communications, Inc., will provide its medium-powered, High-Frequency Automated Link Establishment (HF-ALE) radio communications system to the U.S. Coast Guard for incorporation into new cutter acquisition contracts for the next five to seven years.

The Coast Guard's standardization with Thales is a follow-on to Thales' participation in an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract competitively awarded in 2005 under which Thales HF radio systems are being used to upgrade the Coast Guard's In-Service cutters with advanced HF-ALE capabilities. Under that IDIQ contract, Thales' systems are being integrated on the Coast Guard's fleet of 75 cutters of varying classes, including High and Medium Endurance Cutters (378-foot, 282-foot, 270-foot, and 210-foot) and the Polar Icebreaker fleet.

In fulfillment of these new requirements, the Thales HF-ALE radio system will be integrated on the SENTINEL Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC) and Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC), as well as other Cutter and shore communications acquisition programs with medium-powered (up to 1KW) HF and HF-ALE requirements. With the HF standardization of Thales' equipment throughout the fleet, the Coast Guard will realize immediate savings in procurement costs, life-cycle maintenance, HF-ALE network management, and training. Artist Rendering of the Fast Response Cutter - Sentinel Class. (Courtesy of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.)

Designed to be used in multi-service tactics, this commercial off-the-shelf equipment is certified by the Joint Interoperability Test Command, which is the Defense Information Systems Agency's testing and evaluation organization, and is interoperable and fully compliant with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration standards on HF-ALE. Thales' medium-power HF solution provides the Coast Guard with maximum flexibility and the latest integrated and networked shipborne HF technology that supports the newest generation waveforms. Thales' modularly designed, dual-channel HF radios provide size and weight reductions over In-Service equipment and, with a variety of control applications, allow the Coast Guard the ability to remotely control the Thales HF system from multiple locations, maximizing operational flexibility and reducing workload.

In further support of its Coast Guard and U.S. Navy customers, Thales Communications is shifting the production of core components of Thales' shipborne HF communications systems from Thales UK to Thales Communications' Maryland manufacturing facilities. This transfer of manufacturing means reduced manufacturing costs and significant savings to the U.S. Government.