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Airbus Military selects Thales for A400M digital Head-Up Display

21 July 2004

Thales announced today that its digital Head-Up Display System has been chosen by Airbus Military for the new A400M military transport aircraft.

The digital Head-up Display is the latest step forward in the development of a full-digital cockpit.

This new-generation HUD ushers in further advances in terms of deeper system integration, more flexible operation and higher-quality graphics, with specific LCD technology features. The basic version offers Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) capability, enhancing situational awareness at greater distances during low-visibility conditions. This feature provides advanced warning to the flight crew with the added potential of decreasing their reaction time in critical situations.

By incorporating LCD technology in HUDs, Thales provides air forces that operate the A400M the same benefits found on LCD-based head-down displays (HDD). This is the first time that an HUD of this type has been fitted on a military aircraft. Thales is the only manufacturer today with proprietary in-house production for the critical active matrix liquid crystal displays. The HUD LCD will be developed in France and in the United Kingdom.

With its HUD family, which now equips all Airbus commercial and military aircraft, Thales has spurred a major technological advance. This system provides enhanced support for pilots, especially during critical tactical phases of flight operation in adverse environments and during landing and taxiing.