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Thales and Antonov strenghten their cooperation

19 July 2006

Farnborough Air Show - July 19 2006 - Thales and Antonov have signed an Agreement with the objective to increase their cooperation on new Antonov aircraft as well as on modernization of the existing Antonov fleet. The scope of this cooperation concerns the integration of Topdeck® avionics system as well as Amascos® Airborne surveillance mission systems.

The two companies will join and coordinate their marketing effort in order to successfully address a large number of Air Forces and Navy Forces all around the world with their integrated solutions.

Thales already supplies electrical generation to Antonov on several Antonov aircraft such as An-70 or An-140. Through this agreement, the Parties will enlarge their cooperation and work on the integration of Topdeck® and Amascos® systems on board several Antonov platforms.

Amascos® Maritime Patrol System

The Amascos® mission system developed by Thales is already in service with the maritime forces of several countries and can be tailored to the specific needs of operational users.

Amascos® combines a powerful tactical command subsystem with the latest-generation sensor suites to ensure the success of maritime patrol and surveillance missions :

* maritime surveillance (EEZ surveillance, surveillance of shipping, drug interdiction, etc.
* anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare
* search and rescue (SAR)
* electronic intelligence (ELINT)
* communications intelligence (COMINT)
* joint littoral operations
* environmental monitoring.

The modular architecture of the Amascos® system makes it possible to incorporate any combination of sensors, including radar, FLIR, ESM/ELINT, COMINT, an acoustic subsystem and datalinks, as selected by the customer. The system is designed for all types of aircraft, from long-range maritime patrol aircraft to surveillance planes, and including naval helicopters.

Topdeck® Avionics System

TopDeck® is the modular avionics suite developed by Thales to address the market of Military Transport & Mission Aircraft for both first fit applications and retrofit programs. It provides a certified solution complimented with dedicated military functions.

A modular suite based on a new-generation avionics core developed by Thales Avionics, TopDeck can be adapted to the operational needs of all air forces. TopDeck features a fully modernized instrument panel with large format LCD displays, a navigation system in compliance with the CNS/ATM (Communications-Navigation-Surveillance/Air Traffic Management) environment, a digital autopilot, centralized management of radio communications and navigation, and centralized maintenance of all avionics equipment. Deploying ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 architecture, the TopDeck suite can interface directly with a wide variety of civil and military equipment from many different vendors, including weather radars, TAWS, TCAS, mode-S transponder, IFF, radio, etc.

The navigation system integrated in TopDeck allows navigation in civilian airspace, in compliance with the latest regulations (BRNAV), while also handling military mission requirements, including maritime patrol, search & rescue and tactical low-altitude flights, featuring high-precision drop guidance.

The flight management system integrates an array of sensors (inertial sensors, GPS and air data units), to deliver positioning accuracy exceeding the market standard. The digital autopilot meets MIL-STD-9490 requirements, and is coupled to the navigation system, greatly expanding the aircraft's operational capabilities.

Last, but not least, the instrument panel features large 6x8 inch liquid crystal displays - a format also chosen for the new A380 all new very large airliner, and on offer from Thales Avionics for the new A400M military transport. This type of large display gives flight crews an optimized, synthetic view of flight control, navigation and tactical information.

About Antonov

ANTONOV Aeronautical Scientific and Technical Complex is engaged in designing and building new aircraft prototypes as well as modifications of earlier designs, the provision of operational and product support and engineering work on extending the service life of existing aircraft. More than one hundred types and modifications of aircraft of various classes and purposes have been designed. ANTONOV also provides services such as basic and conversion training for flight and maintenance crews and international air charter transportation, particularly of outsize cargoes. On-site training of local personnel is available to ensure their mastery of their chosen aircraft. Antonov also participates in international cooperation in the field of aircraft and equipment design and manufacture as well as the development of land transit vehicles.
The characteristic advantages of ANTONOV aircraft include structural reliability and economic efficiency, flexibility of transport operations, ability to use unpaved airfields and easy maintenance. Due to these qualities, Antonov aircraft have been exported to more than 70 countries all over the world. All in all more than 22,000 aircraft have been built

About Thales

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. The group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Leveraging a global network of high-level researchers, Thales offers a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy critical information systems. Thales employs 60,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of € 10.3 billion in 2005, with a record order book of over € 20 billion.