Technology for battlespace visualization enhances strategic decision making

Leuven, - October 7th, 2008 - Luciad, the leading software provider for high performance visualization of geospatial information, has been selected by Thales to provide the software components for the naval battlespace visualization within the SIC21 technology platform, delivering maximum situational awareness at sea. SIC21 (Système d’ Information et de Commandement du 21ème siècle pour la Marine française) is a command information system built for the French Navy. SIC21 will provide the Navy with a common 21st century technical platform connecting all of its legacy and future systems, linking to Air, Land and Joint systems for increased interoperability, also in coalition operations.

SIC21, an ambitious program launched by the French Ministry of Defense for the French Navy, will enable any military entity to operate within national or coalition C3I (Communications, Command, Control, and Intelligence) networks, regardless of the force organization or command structure. SIC21 will provide the French Navy with a common technical platform connecting French Navy legacy and future systems. The platform will automate information exchanges, and manage networking of all operational information system applications used by the Navy, ensuring the coherence and perennial supportability of the infrastructure throughout the program.

LuciadMap technology is used within SIC21 to assist combat leaders to easily visualize the common operational picture. Luciad’s technology fully integrates with SIC21’s ‘Services Oriented Architecture’ (SOA) approach. All applications built with SIC21 will take advantage of the ergonomic user interface capabilities on the client side, allowing commanders to visualize, edit and analyze the battle space situation in 2D and 3D, using sources of situational data. The additional implementation of the LuciadMap Terrain Analysis capability for interpreting Digital Terrain Elevation Data facilitates advanced mission planning and sensor deployment.

LuciadMap’s graphical visualization tool is specifically used for the visualization of raster and vector maps, and tactical symbols, business application layer management, calculation of distances, surfaces and intervisibility, and the administration of cartographic data such as map import, georeferencing, and the composition and distribution of background maps.

“In order to avoid overwhelming commanders with vast quantities of information available in the SIC21 system’s common operational database, we looked for a graphics-rich solution to build the geospatial visualization capability”, said Mr Cyrille Magnus, Project Manager of SIC21 at Thales COM. “Thales already used LuciadMap to build other C2 systems. The product’s open and network-centric approach, high flexibility, performance and robustness satisfied the requirements of the modular and evolving character of the SIC21 system. Its unique capability to combine geographic data from a wide variety of sources and formats into one coherent view and the possibility to easily access this information were other major reasons for us to select LuciadMap.”

“We are pleased that the French naval force benefits from our solution to increase information and decision-making dominance” said Mr Lode Missiaen, CEO from Luciad. “The SIC21 program marks an important step forward in the transition towards network-enabled capabilities for naval forces. Being selected by Thales as a key technology supplier for this large-scale project, represents an important step towards the consolidation of Luciad’s position in the French defense market.”


About Luciad

Luciad provides software solutions for high performance visualization of geospatial information. Luciad’s software components are the building blocks for mission-critical maritime and other military Command and Control systems.

   Luciad’s core product is LuciadMap, a software solution that system integrators and original equipment manufactures can easily integrate into their existing systems. LuciadMap can handle large numbers of static and moving data on top of geographical information, including maps, satellite imagery, and terrain elevation in many different formats and references to achieve a high situational awareness.

Luciad also offers an end-user product, based on LuciadMap’s technology: ATCPlayback, a viewing capability to play back, review, and analyze simulated or recorded air traffic data. It is a powerful, user-friendly suite that graphically replays and intuitively analyzes ATC simulation results by enabling users to interactively refine the analysis process and graphically visualize the results.

Dedicated to providing its clients with the best possible service, Luciad Professional Services will assess advanced system requirements and assist system integrators with the implementation of fully integrated solutions.

Luciad’s international customer base includes NATO, DGA, TNO, DCNS, Thales, EADS, Lockheed Martin, Thales Raytheon Systems, DRDC, DSTA, SAGEM, Saab, Terma, Patria and Havelsan.

Visit www.luciad.com for more information.



Contact:

Eva Boffé
Communications
Luciad NV
Gaston Geenslaan 9
3001 Leuven
Belgium
Phone: +32 16 23 95 91
Fax: +32 16 29 34 22
E-mail: Email Contact