ThalesRaytheonSystems has been awarded a contract to provide 2 Ground Master 400 (GM 400) long range, air defense radars as part of a command and control air defense system contract for the Canadian Air Force awarded to Thales Canada.

“The Ground Master 400 radars were launched in 2008 and, since then, we have received contracts for these radars in six countries,” said Jack Harrington, Chief Executive Officer, ThalesRaytheonSystems. “This Canadian contract is our first award for the North American market and we continue to see opportunities around the world.”

The GM 400, 3-D, long-range air defense radar, was selected in a competitive tender with other suppliers in the radar industry. The GM 400 offers detection from very high to very low altitudes. It tracks a wide range of targets, from highly maneuverable tactical aircraft flying at very low altitudes to the unconventional small radar cross-section devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles or cruise missiles, ensuring a complete wide-area air picture.

In addition to providing tactical control of fighter aircraft, the versatile and easily deployable GM 400 radars will provide the Canadian Air Force with air defense protection of key assets as part of homeland security and protection of deployed troops.

This Canadian radar award comes concurrently with the signature of the first GM 400 Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) certificates. These first FATs reinforce the intensive Ground Master 400 radar production plan at the Thales production site in Limours, France. This accomplishment helps ensure GM 400 radar deliveries in 2011.