The main tactical component of the French military's SCCOA2 air command-and-control system is being upgraded by ThalesRaytheonSystems.

The contract, issued by DGA, the French defense procurement agency, covers software and hardware upgrades for MARTHA -- Maillage Antiaérien des Radars Tactiques pour la lutte contre les Hélicoptères et les Aéronefs à voilure fixe -- the French Army system that merges the command-and-control situation for low, medium and high-altitude planning and tasking from the Air Force for delegation to the Army, the company said.

MARTHA offers command, coordination and optimization of the firing of all types of anti-air weapon systems, it said.

ThalesRaytheonSystems said it will strengthen the systems data security to NATO's Secret level as well as upgrade the system to provide better integration and coordination with the French Army's air defense weapon systems and helicopters.

"MARTHA allows the command and tactical control of assets in the third dimension," ThalesRaytheonSystems said. "It permanently manages mission execution and maneuvers, communicating in real time with air defense and artillery units, light aviation helicopters and intelligence assets deployed in the battlespace.

"The system makes it possible to counter air threats in a timely fashion, as well as to safely coordinate and efficiently manage the actors in the third dimension requiring real-time analysis of large volumes of data."

The monetary value of the award and the contract's period of performance were not detailed.