The Eclipse counter-IED system developed by Thales is soon to enter into service within the French armed forces.
The system recently reached a key milestone in the BARAGE programme, led by the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA), with the successful completion of qualification testing. BARAGE will provide additional protection from radio-controlled IEDs, one of the major threats faced by forces deployed in conflict zones today.
Eclipse is built around a new-generation jammer that prevents improvised explosive devices from being detonated by remote control. The moment an IED is detected, Eclipse jams radio signals across a wide range of frequencies without interfering with the radio communication systems used by friendly forces. A modular, open architecture makes it possible to expand the defensive capabilities by adding new functions to the system as threats evolve.
Eclipse jammers are already in operation within the armed forces of several other countries and will equip a number of French Army vehicle types, including the future Griffon and Jaguar vehicles, being developed for the SCORPION program.