Story ID: 699ThalesATMThailandSGA14.doc
Thales gets ATM contract in Thailand
By: Thierry Dubois
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Word Count: 265
Thales has signed a contract with Aerothai, Thailand’s air navigation service provider, for a nationwide air traffic management system. Called Thailand modernization CNS/ATM system (TMCS), it is expected to help the country achieve the ICAO–and ASEAN–sponsored Seamless Asian Sky harmonization goals.
  
Based on Thales’ TopSky-ATC product, it will feature multiple levels of contingency and back-up, the company said. The national en-route air traffic control center, the six approach control centers and 41 regional airport towers will use TMCS. In addition, Thales is supplying a simulator for training purposes. Samart Corp. is its local partner for the contract.
  
Thales is now bidding for the oneSky Australia program to field a joint civil and military ATM system by 2020. Airservices Australia, the government-owned air navigation services provider, is now evaluating several proposals. It will announce the winner of this major tender early next year. “Australia has specific needs and covers 11 percent of the world in terms of flight information region surface,” Adam Burford, managing director for Thales ATM in Australia, pointed out to AIN. Thales is the incumbent provider in the country.
  
The firm claims to have a 70 percent market share in en-route ATM systems in Asia.
  
In Singapore, it produces cockpit displays and flight control computers for the Airbus A320, A350 and A380. The local factory is the only one for these components. In addition, it manufactures electric systems for the Boeing 787. Jean-Noël Stock, CEO of Thales Solutions Asia, praised the skilled workforce, effective supply chain and competitive conditions the company finds here.