Thales Launches Vigile LW

• A New Maritime Radar ESM for Small Vessels

(February 16, 2010) -- Thales today announces the launch of Vigile LW, a new, lightweight, naval radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) system set to redefine situational awareness for small vessels.

Vigile LW detects, identifies and displays air and surface threats in real time, providing tactical situational awareness wherever needed for small vessels. Whether protecting national coastlines or protecting EEZs and shipping lanes, Vigile LW also draws on Thales's cutting edge pulse deinterleaving and signal processing technologies, to provide immediate, automatic warning of high priority threats.


Leveraging key Thales technologies in Radio Frequency and the latest advances in digital software, Thales has developed a new lightweight system designed specifically for small vessels such as patrol boats and attack craft. Its compact size means that it can be smartly integrated and rapidly fitted to any type of vessel.

Vigile LW is the core element of a Self Protection Suite and can be operated as a standalone RESM or as a central Electronic Warfare controller. It can control the communication and Radar ESM, Laser Warning, Missile warning and programmable decoying functions. Installed across several vessels, Vigile LW can provide a network-centric compatible solution for increased protection.

Pierre-Eric Pommellet, Thales Senior Vice President, in charge of defence mission systems, commented: "This new member to the Vigile family meets a true requirement in the market and aims to fill a very real capacity gap - at a lower acquisition and possession cost. It is the perfect maritime surveillance solution for small, fast vessels carrying out vital tactical missions."

The system operates automatically and therefore is autonomous and easy to support. Tracks can optionally be overlayed onto the radar picture, removing the need for a dedicated Electronic Warfare operator and thereby keeping through-life costs low and easing crew workloads.

Vigile LW draws on Thales's excellent pedigree in Naval Electronic Warfare systems both for the British and French Navies and for many export customers worldwide.

Source : Thales Group (Paris: HO.PA)