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Thales Avionics and Eurocopter sign production contract for NH 90 avionics and electrical generation system

20 December 2001

Thales Avionics signed a 210 million euro contract with Eurocopter for the production of avionics and electrical power systems for the NH 90 helicopter. The contract covers a total of 243 helicopters to be deployed by the armed forces of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands (150 tactical transport and 93 naval versions).

Delivery of the avionics and electrical generation systems will start in late 2002 and continue through 2017.

Thales Avionics and European partners Diehl Avionik Systeme, Teldix, Galileo Avionica and Sirio Panel will supply the basic and mission avionics for this helicopters.

The basic avionics suite comprises the following:

* Four 8x8 inch liquid crystal displays, showing all flight control and systems and mission management information. These LCD panels are designed, developed and produced by Thales Avionics LCD, near Grenoble.
* The control and display unit (CDU), also featuring a liquid crystal display produced by Thales Avionics LCD.
* Gyroscopic standby horizon.

The mission avionics package includes:

* Topowl binocular helmet-mounted sight/display, with a wide 40° field-of-view, based on visor projection technology. Already in service on the Tiger and Rooivalk helicopters, Topowl reduces the pilot's workload while enhancing comfort and safety.
* Tactical mission computer, a powerful, modular unit that can be used for both onboard systems management and as a mission management computer.

Thales Avionics Electrical Systems will supply the NH 90's main electrical generation system, comprising three power alternators and their associated regulators.

The NH 90 is developed and produced by NH Industries, a consortium of Eurocopter, Eurocopter Deutschland, Agusta and Fokker. Recent contracts from Finland, Norway, Sweden and Portugal confirm the NH 90's solid position in the market for 9-11-ton class helicopters.

Thales Avionics is a long-standing partner to Eurocopter, with systems and equipment on both civil and military models, including the Tiger, AS332, EC120, Ecureuil B3, EC130, EC135, EC145 and EC155. This latest contract confirms Thales Avionics' position as the leading European supplier of avionics and electrical generation systems.

Thales Avionics, the European leader and world-renowned partner in avionics, electrical systems, and cabin electronics, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales, a world leader in professional electronics for civil and defense markets.

Press contacts:
Thales - Verena Adt - Tel: + 33 (0) 1 53 77 86 26
Thales Avionics - Florence Fayolle - Tel:+ 33 (0)1 46 29 88 31