Thales Defense & Security

What Thales Defense & Security does

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of the French Thales Group, operating since 1964 as a proxy-regulated company free of foreign ownership, control, and influence (FOCI). Headquartered in Clarksburg, Maryland, with 1,001-5,000 employees and additional manufacturing and engineering sites in Germantown (DRT signals intelligence), St. Petersburg (Tampa Microwave SATCOM), Clearwater, Abingdon, Aurora, Billerica, and other U.S. locations, TDSI designs and manufactures mission-critical defense hardware and supporting solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and select allied and commercial markets.

The company's product portfolio spans tactical radio communications (AN/PRC-148 MBITR/IMBITR family with JTRS SCA-certified software-defined radio architecture, plus the LOCODA Radio Adaptable Transport for mounted vehicles), satellite communications (MissionLINK, VesseLINK, WaveLINK, and Tampa Microwave man-portable terminals leveraging Iridium Certus), naval and undersea warfare systems (CAPTAS variable-depth sonar family, ANGLER mine neutralization ROV/UUV, Mission in a Box C2/C3 node, and the Advanced Acoustic Concepts sonar and torpedo defense portfolio), avionics (Scorpion full-color helmet-mounted cueing system and WASP HMD), electronic warfare and signals intelligence (SIGNET solutions and the Digital Receiver Technology product line with 4,300+ global deployments), optronics (laser warning, threat warning, and target designators), and data security (Thales e-Security Federal encryption, key management, and Microsoft Azure Stack-based defense cloud).

TDSI makes money primarily through direct sales of hardware and integrated systems to U.S. federal customers via GSA Schedule GS-35F-0001L and direct program-of-record procurements, supplemented by training, repair, and sustainment services, plus a channel-partner model for SATCOM products through six certified resellers globally. Marquee customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and the U.S. Intelligence Community, alongside coalition and allied forces. Notable contract vehicles include a $37M Army Security Force Assistance Brigades radio award, a 5,000-unit LOCODA order, and HF communications "Gold Standard" selection for U.S. Coast Guard cutter programs.

Name

Thales Defense & Security

Legal name

Thales Defense & Security, Inc.

Website

https://thalesdsi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is a U.S.-based, proxy-regulated Thales subsidiary that designs and manufactures tactical radios, satellite communications, sonar, helmet-mounted displays, electronic warfare systems, and data security solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and allied forces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Electronics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense Communications (Secure Radios, SATCOM Terminals, Crypto) (IMABAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electronic Warfare (EW) & SIGINT/ELINT Systems (IMABAGAB), C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links (IMABAGAE), Secure Communications, Cryptography & Key Management Systems (IMABAOAK)

Keywords

• Tactical radio communications
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Electronic warfare systems
• Helmet-mounted displays
• Satellite communications terminals

Headquarters

HQ city

Clarksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Hardware Sales: Sale of tactical radios, sonar systems, electronic warfare equipment, helmet-mounted displays, SATCOM terminals, and related defense systems to U.S. and allied military forces through government contracts.
2. Government Defense Contracts: Revenue from U.S. Department of Defense program of record awards, GSA Schedule contracts, and direct military procurement including Security Force Assistance Brigades ($37M contract) and LOCODA program orders.
3. Training and Support Services: Comprehensive equipment training, maintenance training, and field service support for military customers conducted at company facilities and customer locations worldwide.
4. Repair and Sustainment Services: Equipment repair services including RMA process for radio transceivers, vehicle adapters, and Modular Universal Battery Chargers with warranty and out-of-warranty repair pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. manufactures and sells mission-critical defense electronics and systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military forces. Its portfolio spans tactical software-defined radios, anti-submarine warfare sonar systems, helmet-mounted cueing displays, electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems, satellite communications terminals, and tactical data security solutions. The company operates as a wholly-owned, proxy-regulated U.S. subsidiary (FOCI-exempt) and is qualified to work across the full spectrum of classified U.S. government defense programs.

Product overview

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) is a U.S.-based defense contractor offering a diversified portfolio of mission-critical solutions across multiple domains. The company's product portfolio centers on tactical radio communications (AN/PRC-148 family including MBITR, IMBITR, and PRC6809V variants), satellite communications terminals (MissionLINK, VesseLINK, WaveLINK, Tampa Microwave terminals), naval/maritime systems (CAPTAS sonar, ANGLER mine neutralization, Mission in a Box C3, Advanced Acoustic Concepts), avionics (Scorpion and WASP helmet-mounted displays), electronic warfare (SIGNET solutions, Digital Receiver Technology), optronics/sensors (Sensors & Missile Systems), and data security (Thales e-Security Federal). Products are built on open architecture principles using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology, with extensive integration with third-party services like Iridium Certus satellite communications and TrellisWare networking waveforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LINK by Thales: Mobile satellite communications solutions for land-mobile and maritime markets, including MissionLINK and VesseLINK products powered by Iridium Certus
• Digital Receiver Technology (DRT)
• Tampa Microwave
• Visionix
• Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC)

Products and services

• CAPTAS (Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonar)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800,000 tactical radios deployed worldwide serving defense, allied, and coalition forces
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, former jv partner, major and core.

• CNN MCOsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Thales leads French consortium with CNN MCO and CS GROUP delivering resilient navigation upgrades for French Navy's amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral. Part of eight-year fleet support contract with over 50 completed upgrades.
• CS GROUPsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Thales leads French consortium with CNN MCO and CS GROUP delivering resilient navigation upgrades for French Navy's amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral. Modernization of multiple vessels with inertial navigation systems for electronic warfare resilience.
• North InventsupportingTechnology or Integration · 5 November 2025Collaboration on WaveLINK GMDSS solution powered by Iridium Certus for maritime safety communications. Product developed and announced at Europort 2025 with global rollout planned.
• Leonardo DRSformer jv partnerOthers · 27 July 2022Leonardo DRS transferred full ownership of Advanced Acoustic Concepts joint venture to Thales Defense & Security Inc. Acquisition completed to strengthen TDSI's presence in US defense market, especially undersea warfare and sonar systems. Deal was part of Leonardo's strategy to refocus on core businesses.
• MicrosoftmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2018Preferred partnership for development of a common Defense Cloud solution for armed forces based on Microsoft Azure Stack platform. Thales integrates connectivity and end-to-end cybersecurity and encryption solutions. Enables armed forces to keep sensitive data in their own infrastructures.
• MVS USAsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2017Certified reseller for MissionLINK and VesseLINK SATCOM solutions. Women-owned satellite communications business with global reach via secure worldwide Flexx data network serving maritime, land, government and commercial markets.
• MetOcean TelematicssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2017Certified reseller for MissionLINK and VesseLINK. Developer of state-of-the-art data acquisition and end-to-end telematics solutions with focus on niche MetOcean and custom Defense and Security products.
• Network InnovationssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2017Certified reseller for MissionLINK and VesseLINK. Satellite communication integrator focused on provision and support of solutions enabling customers to communicate anywhere on the planet.
• Pivotel GroupsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2017Certified reseller for MissionLINK and VesseLINK. Australian licensed mobile telecommunications company providing satellite, cellular, voice and data services with maritime market expansion plans.
• SpaceNet MexicosupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2017Certified reseller for MissionLINK and VesseLINK. Privately owned Mexican company providing satellite services in Mexico and the continent using Iridium network. Iridium joint venture partner in Mexico.
• Globalsat GroupsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2017Certified reseller for MissionLINK and VesseLINK. First Pan-American Mobile Satellite Service consortium with offices in US, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico.
• TrellisWare TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017AN/PRC-148C IMBITR embeds TrellisWare TSM waveform for mobile ad hoc networking capability. First dual-channel handheld radio with this waveform integration providing world-class networking performance.
• Iridium CommunicationscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Thales is exclusive provider of satcom terminal products for Iridium NEXT's voice and broadband data services (Iridium Certus). Thales provides MissionLINK and VesseLINK terminals accessing Iridium's 66-satellite constellation with 100% global coverage.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a direct peer in tactical radio communications (Falcon series competes with AN/PRC-148), electronic warfare, and avionics, with similar U.S. DoD and allied force customer base and overlapping product portfolio.
• Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems is a direct peer in tactical radios (PNR-1000 family), helmet-mounted displays (JHMCS competitor to Scorpion), EW, and SATCOM solutions, competing with TDSI across both U.S. and international defense markets.
• Leonardo DRS: Leonardo DRS is a direct peer across multiple defense electronics categories and was the former joint-venture partner in Advanced Acoustic Concepts, making it one of the most comparable U.S. defense electronics competitors.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems is a direct peer in tactical communications (AN/PRC-155, AN/PRC-162), naval combat systems, and EW for U.S. DoD, with substantial overlap on Army tactical radio and Navy programs of record.
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Rafael competes directly with TDSI's tactical communications, EW/SIGINT, and helmet-mounted cueing system products, and frequently partners or competes with Thales on international missile and sensor programs.
• Rohde & Schwarz: Rohde & Schwarz is a direct peer in tactical software-defined radios (SOVERON family) and secure military communications, competing in both U.S. and international markets against the AN/PRC-148 family.
• Ultra Electronics: Ultra Electronics is a direct peer in defense communications, sonar systems, and naval EW — closely aligned with TDSI's undersea warfare and tactical communications franchises post-Curtiss-Wright acquisition.
• Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Curtiss-Wright is a direct peer in defense electronics and naval combat systems, with overlapping positions in sonar, tactical communications, and ruggedized computing for U.S. and allied militaries.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems Electronic Systems: BAE Systems is a broad incumbent in defense electronics with overlapping products in EW, communications, and sensors, serving the same U.S. DoD customer base as TDSI but with a much wider platform portfolio.
• Saab Defence: Saab is a broad incumbent in defense electronics, EW, naval combat systems, and tactical communications, competing with TDSI particularly on European and allied-nation programs while operating a similar diversified defense model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/thalesgroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thethalesgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/thalesgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thales-defense-security-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/thalesgroup

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thales Defense & Security