Hawkei on display at Armoured Vehicles Australia
04 November 2009
Thales Australia's innovative Hawkei vehicle is starring at this week's Armoured Vehicles Australia event in Canberra.
Hawkei is Thales's contender for the Department of Defence's LAND 121 Phase 4 program to replace Army Landrovers. The sleek 7-tonne 4x4 can carry up to six soldiers, and incorporates high levels of blast and ballistic protection.
An engineering mock-up of the Hawkei will be on display at Armoured Vehicles Australia (AVA), highlighting its internal seating layout and ground-breaking design.
The mock-up is a full scale representation of the vehicle which engineers use to experiment with different internal configurations and ergonomic (human factors) aspects, ensuring the end result is a vehicle designed to optimise operational effectiveness.
"The Hawkei is the best solution to meet the Australian Defence Force's light protected vehicle requirements," said Ian Irving, Vice President in charge of Thales's Land & Joint Systems activities in Australia.
"Together with Plasan, Boeing and PAC Group, we have formed an unrivalled team. And our exclusive relationship with Plasan for LAND 121-4's Australian option has been a real bonus. We're proud to be working with one of the most sought after composite armour and hull design specialists in the world.
"The response to the Hawkei's launch has been overwhelmingly positive and the work done by Thales, along with our partners, is seen as a very compelling offer."
Thales will also display its Single Cab and Dual Cab Utility Vehicles from the Bushmaster Family of Vehicles, which are designed to offer maximum logistics capability in the harshest environments while incorporating the same levels of protection as troop-carrying Bushmasters.
"Our Protected Mobility Vehicle range continues to grow, with new vehicles and new capabilities creating increasingly flexible options for armed forces," Mr Irving continued. "Our extensive experience with the Bushmaster program, combined with our systems integration expertise, gives the Department of Defence and the ADF a strategic local capability unrivalled in Australia and specifically tailored to Australian requirements." Armoured Vehicles Australia takes place 5-6 November at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros (equivalent of AUD 22.1 billion) with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.
Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing around 3,500 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of more than AUD1 billion in 2008.
Press contacts
Libby Noble
Thales Australia
+61 (0)2 9562 3150
+61 (0)434 155 881
libby.noble@thalesgroup.com.au
Fabienne Issot Sergent
Thales, Land & Joint Systems
+33 (0)1 41 30 48 20
+33 (0)6 79 28 27 32
fabienne.issot-sergent@fr.thalesgroup.com
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