Ramona Adams
A consortium of Thales and Airbus Defense and Space has been awarded a contract by the French National Institute of Geographic and Forestry Information to provide digital geographic data to the French defense ministry.
Thales said Tuesday the consortium will work to build up the GeoMaps database using images generated by two Pleiades satellites.
The contract, which will run through 2021, requires analysis and quality control of the reference mapping data in efforts to increase accuracy and interoperability between the defense ministry’s systems and those of their allies, the company added.
“In an age of asymmetrical conflicts, being able to rely on highly precise geographical data gives [the military] a real technical advantage on the ground,” said Jean-Michel Lagarde, Thales deputy general manager for secure communications and information systems.
Thales also noted the consortium originally created TopoBase Defense, which GeoMaps has now replaced.
The company further said GeoMaps data will be managed and disseminated under the GEODE 4D four-dimensional defense data program in the future.
