Recherche

Thales's Aerospace Division achieves this through the application of cutting-edge developments to real-life technology, generating highly innovative products, systems and services that address both commercial and military aerospace needs.

Cooperation is the by-word for success. Researchers around the world - often working in close conjunction with colleagues from other Thales divisions, public research organisations and industry counterparts - share information and best practices through efficient knowledge networks. The collective findings are applied to areas such as the following:

Innovation in air mission systems
State-of-the-art Thales equipment is on board countless fighter aircraft. For instance, the Rafale incorporates Thales navigation and attack systems, including the electronic scanning radar, the electronic warfare system, identification equipment, mission and data-storage computers, displays, communication equipment, backup instruments and electric power generation systems.

Innovation in avionics
Thales's extensive aircraft electronics offering encompasses the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) suite developed with Diehl Avionik Systeme. The IMA is a technological innovation, with all on-board computing modules networked and able to support different applications. Thales's portfolio also includes TopDeck, an integrated avionics suite specifically designed for civil and military helicopters.

Innovation in the cockpit
Thales is responsible for innovations including the revolutionary, multi-screen, high-resolution, touch-sensitive cockpit control and display system (CDS) developed for the Airbus A380. Other flagship developments include cutting-edge liquid crystal head-up displays (HUD-LCD), which are a perfect illustration of the company's dual technology strategy, having been developed for commercial and military applications.

Innovation in ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) capability
Thales is leading the rollout of the UK's Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-based programme, set to provide unrivalled ISTAR capability. The system is aimed at collecting image intelligence - without the need to deploy troops into potentially sensitive or dangerous areas - and disseminating the information quickly to the right decision-makers.

Innovation in maritime patrol and surveillance
Thales is prime contractor on Turkey's large-scale maritime patrol and surveillance programme, Meltem, comprising 19 aircraft for the Turkish Coast Guard and Navy. The solution is based on Thales's AMASCOS system (Airborne MAritime Situation and COntrol System) with latest-generation sensor suites including radar, electronic support measures, optronics, acoustic and communication systems.

Innovation in on-board power conversion
Boeing's new-generation 787 airliner includes a Thales-developed electrical power conversion system, which will transform energy from multiple sources into the appropriate standards for end-consumers. This represents a world first because of the aircraft's unique electrical network, which ranges from DC to variable-frequency AC, at different voltages and frequencies.

Innovation in passenger comfort
As well as making flying safer, Thales makes flying more enjoyable with its TopSeries family of in-flight entertainment systems, providing a full range of innovative multimedia services for airline passengers including films, games, communications and e-mail/internet connectivity.

Innovation in radar
Thales's radar credentials are second-to-none. Current developments include a next-generation, electronic scanning radar with an active antenna, which will offer enhanced performance, including longer air-to-air range, detection of stealthy targets, and higher-quality SAR (synthetic aperture radar) images for air-to-ground missions.

Innovation in simulated environments
Drawing on advanced simulation expertise, Thales has developed Airlab, a technical and operational simulation environment for civil air transport. It uses models from preliminary definition through to actual products to assess how a system behaves when subjected to different stimuli, through operational scenarios that are highly representative of real contexts and conditions (air traffic, weather, etc.). The objective is to achieve accurate quantitative assessments of the operational benefits of new functions.