CLARKSBURG, MD – Thales Defense and Security Inc., an offshoot of the French Thales Group, manufactures components like fuzes for TOW missiles in Maryland. The company also produces gear for air, land, and sea operations. TD&SI deals heavily in “tactical comms,” with a major focus on radios and combat net radios, thanks to a significant contract with the Army.
The facility, located in Clarksburg, Maryland, has recently expanded to accommodate the large volume of orders for the combat net radio program. These new radios are replacing the older Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) and are software-defined for quick updates. Thales has already received orders for thousands of radios and expects many more in the future.
The production and testing of the combat net radios are taking place in collaboration with labs at Aberdeen Proving Ground, which is integral to meeting the Army’s needs for modernization. The radio modernization initiative is part of the Army’s broader efforts to improve long-range precision fires, air and missile defense, and aviation capabilities.
Thales and competitor L3Harris Technologies are working to deliver radios to the Army, with the goal of meeting soldier’s needs in various combat scenarios. The new radios are designed to be more adaptable and efficient, aligning with the Army’s strategy to enhance connectivity on the battlefield and among different formations. This modernization effort is a key priority for the Army to ensure troops have the necessary tools to communicate effectively and conduct missions successfully.
