Eight capability areas demonstrate the Group’s world-class solutions at FIA 2010

The Thales stand demonstrates our global capability in state-of-the-art technologies, complex system architectures and the ability to deliver swiftly to customers. We are committed to creating a better future for our people, our communities, our environment and our marketplace. Should you wish to discuss recruitment opportunities there are HR staff on hand at our reception point.

Mission Systems

The Mission Systems zone demonstrates Thales’s capability to undertake the most difficult missions, by day or night, using ground-based and airborne assets. Our man-portable observation and designation equipment provides unambiguous target detection and designation for airborne assets fitted with precision-guided munitions. We are world leaders in laser-designation and range-finding, with TYR and LF28A on display. GLOW (Green Light Optical Warner) is an example of our non-lethal systems to protect critical infrastructure.

With a growing range of innovative missiles for short-range and tactical arenas, Starstreak and LMM (Lightweight Multi-role Missile) demonstrate our expertise in precision attack for air, sea and land. Also on display is WebS2AT, a web-based situational awareness tool, which allows operational planners to view and share dynamic information.

Increasingly, missions are being implemented with versatile rotary wing platforms. Essential to mission success of platform survival is a modern defensive aid system, with a full spectrum of threat warning systems covering IR, EW, countermeasure systems and the new Vicon XF intelligent countermeasure dispenser system.

ISTAR

A world leader in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems and technologies, Thales is using this expertise to provide military users with integrated battlefield intelligence for the most challenging theatres of operation. The ISTAR Zone demonstrates the integration of cost effective, mature systems that enable improved command decision making.

The ISTAR Zone displays elements of our tactical unmanned air system (UAS) expertise, networked image exploitation and targeting systems. Thales supports many systems deployed in operation: the Hermes 450 UAS is provided to the UK armed forces through an innovative ISTAR-by-the-hour service. Also on display is Thales’s powerful, compact GMTI/SAR radar – I-Master – which forms part of the Watchkeeper system, providing all-weather ISTAR capability (stand area 2a). Thales provides contractor logistic support for Watchkeeper, ensuring specified levels of availability and support.

The Royal Navy Mk7 Sea King, which provides airborne surveillance and control, is an example of how such ISTAR capability can be used in sea and land environments. Thales is prime contractor and system integrator for the programme, providing its Cerberus mission system and Searchwater radar. Also on display are examples of our ground-based air-defence surveillance radars (Shikra-200, ADES and GM 400).

Avionics

Drawing on comprehensive R&D in civil and military aviation markets, Thales provides a wide range of proven avionics equipment and systems for fixed and rotary wing platforms. Leaders in the provision of sophisticated onboard communica¬tions, navigation and display solutions, our products feature on some of the latest aircraft, including the A400M and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, featuring at FIA 2010.

On display in the Avionics Zone is an example of Thales’s integrated avionics suite – TopDeck - a versatile, scalable glass cockpit architecture for civil and military helicopters (stand area 5a). Thales also supports its avionics customers with a comprehensive range of service solutions, including integrated services, service engineering, and customised maintenance contracts. Proximity to every type of customer, even those deployed in operation, is the cornerstone of Thales’s global support network.

Inflight Entertainment

Thales is a leading player in In-Flight Entertainment (IFEC) and Connectivity systems. In the IFE Zone, Thales’s web-based IFE platform TopSeries supports entertainment, broadband communications and in-seat power. It is installed on more aircraft types than any other IFE system in the world, is the IFE system of choice for B787 customers and is supported by TopCare, Thale’s global round-the-clock service network.

At the heart of Thales’s range of connected airborne solutions, TopConnect, is Thales’s TopFlight SATCOM, which provides a satellite link to the aircraft and enables passengers to use cellular phones and the Internet aboard the aircraft.

Training, Simulation & Services

Simulation plays a key role in the training of pilots. Serving civil and military markets, Thales provides end-to-end solutions, from computer-aided training systems to full-mission simulators such as the new ‘RealitySeven’. Based on a modular design, RealitySeven allows swift reconfiguration for different aircraft. On display in the Simulation Zone is the Thales desktop simulator (adaptable for military or civil requirements), used to support the B787 training of maintenance technicians and flight crew. The high-fidelity system, developed with Boeing, has common software with Level D full-flight simulators for continuity of training and aims to increase availability, reliability and maintainability.

Thales provides synthetic training equipment and services in the rotary-wing domain, in use by the UK armed forces as part of operational pre-deployment preparation and RAF search & rescue. Thales also supplies the avionics and full-flight simulators for the Sukhoi 100 Superjet and the A400M, featuring at FIA 2010.

Air Traffic Services and Management

Thales is a global leader in military and civil air traffic management (ATM), offering a technically advanced range of solutions from design and integration to installation maintenance and training. The Air Traffic Services & Management Zone features a range of Thales’s high-quality ATC products, including the STAR 2000 primary radar, the RSM 970 secondary radar, the Eurocat C ATC centre, plus navigational aids and landing systems.

Thales’s airport security and safety offering enables airports and other transport hubs to address emerging security requirements. Building on its experience as mission-critical system integrator, Thales works with airport, rail and port operators that seek new approaches to address global security risks and improve protection against evolving threats, while facilitating the flow of passengers and freight.

Space

European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space (TAS) is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). TAS sets the global standard in solutions for space telecoms, radar and optical earth observation, defence and security, navigation and science.

On display above the ISTAR Zone is SICRAL 2, a military communication satellite, a French-Italian government project. Intended to complement the current generation of MILSATCOM systems of Italy (SICRAL) and France (SYRACUSE), SICRAL 2 is designed to operate in harsh operating conditions.

Exterior Exhibits

The Thales pavilion’s external displays showcase a variety of Thales technology:

• Watchkeeper 450 unmanned air system.
• UAV ground control station (GCS).
• Magic ATOLS (automatic take-off and landing system).
• Multi Mission System (MMS).
• Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) displayed on the MSI gun.

Thales also has the following systems and equipment on other stands:

• Snowflake launcher for the Lightweight Multi-role Missile on display on the Finmecannica stand.
• Athena Fidus dual use and dual-mission (French-Italian) communication satellite, displayed on the Italian Space Agency booth.