Thales SA engages in the manufacture and marketing of electronic equipment and systems for the aeronautics, naval, and defense sectors. It operates through Defense and Security, and Aerospace and Transport segments. The Defense and Security segment designs and delivers systems for air, land, sea and space environments. These systems detect and assess threats, manage information, support rapid command decisions and control engagements through to threat neutralization, with maximum reliability.
They are designed to simplify the coordination of assets deployed by joint or coalition forces and contribute to information and decision superiority. It also offers solutions and technologies that enable organizations to share existing information and communication systems while also ensuring the traceability of individuals and the protection of networks and infrastructures. The Aerospace and Transport segments engages in the provision of onboard and ground systems for the civil aerospace market. It provides systems, functions, and onboard electronics for all types of aircraft. It also offers railway signaling solutions and integrated transportation systems to insure safe and secure transportation of goods and people. The company was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.”
“Thales History
Thales’ predecessor, Thomson-CSF, evolved from Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston (CFTH), which was established in 1893. However Thomson-CSF itself was established in 1968 when Thomson-Brandt (the renamed CFTH) merged its electronics arm with that of Compagnie Générale de Télégraphie Sans Fil (CSF).
Thales formed a joint venture with Raytheon in June, 2001 to combine their radar and communications systems divisions. Named ThalesRaytheonSystems, the firm is 50% owned by both parent companies.
On March 13, 2014 at 7:22am EDT, Reuters (Paris France) reported that “Thales to buy JetBlue’s LiveTV unit for $400 million”
In 2002 Thales set up the joint venture company Armaris with the French shipbuilder DCN to offer a total “bottom up” shipbuilding capability.
In 2002, Thales Broadcast Multimedia, a former subsidiary of Thales, provided China with standard short-wave radio-broadcasting equipment designed for general public radio-broadcasting. Although the contract was not at all for the purpose of jamming foreign radio stations broadcasting to China, it now appears that this is what the ALLISS antennasare being used for.
In 2003 Thales UK’s design won the competition for the Royal Navy Future Carrier (CVF) and the company now participates in an alliance company with BAE Systems and the UKMinistry of Defence. This Thales design may form the basis of the Future French aircraft carrier which the company has agreed to build with DCN.
In 2006 Thales acquired Australian Defence Industries, a major manufacturer of military equipment such as smokeless gunpowder and the Bushmaster IMV.
Alcatel deal
In April, 2006, Thales announced it would be acquiring Alcatel’s space business (67% of Alcatel Alenia Space and 33% of Telespazio), and Alcatel’s Rail Signalling Solutions division in a deal which also raised Alcatel’s ownership of Thales to 21.66 percent. The French government would also decrease its ownership in Thales to 27.1 percent from 31.3 percent as part of the acquisition. According to an Alcatel Press Room Web page of April 5, 2006, the deal would also include the Systems Integration activities (those not dedicated to telecoms operators, and covering mainly the transport and energy sectors). In December 2008, Alcatel agreed to sell a 20.8% stake in French engineering group Thales SA to Dassault Aviation SA for €1.57 billion ($2.27 billion).”
*Information from Forbes.com and Wikipedia.org
**Video published on YouTube by “Thales“
