The Innovation through years

The magnetron radar was originally developed for the ocean liner Normandie to detect icebergs, and the same technology was further developed for missile guidance roles. When Germany invaded France in 1940, project engineers fled to London. Subsequently, most radar systems built in the UK during World War II were based on this technology.

The first experimental X-Ray image intensifier was developed in 1951. It led to a considerable reduction of X-ray doses absorbed by patients and operators during radiology procedures. Thomson rapidly became the biggest producer in the world � and still is, although the original electron tube technology has now been replaced by solid-state devices.

Invented in 1950, the Vapotron process was a major step forward in cathode ray tube screen technology. Vapotron cooling of the tube's anode was twice as efficient as conventional water-cooling systems, and the technology was soon adopted by the biggest screen manufacturers in Japan and in the United States.

The Palmier radar was a very long-range 3D radar developed in 1966 and produced for France, Sweden, India and NATO. The Arès radar, developed later by Hughes Aircraft and Thomson, was based on the same technology.

Initially named Cactus, the Crotale is a mobile land short-range anti-air missile. Each firing unit comprised a fire-control radar associated with infrared guidance. It has been upgraded in the past 50 years and is still operated by armies from many countries

Sensors, optronics, electronic warfare systems and tactical communications... Thales technologies for the Rafale account for one-third of the omnirole combat aircraft's total value.

The Dassault nEUROn, an experimental flying wing stealth UCAV (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle), is a technological marvel of its kind with ranges, payloads and capabilities approaching those of manned fighter aircrafts.
Thales provides nEUROn with a high-performance GPS, a hybrid military inertial system and communication systems specific to control-command.

Thales provides the state-of-the-art technology for ies behind the Ciudad Segura system in Mexico City, the world's most ambitious and advanced urban security project. The Thales-developed system technologies are used to analyses images from 15,000 CCTV cameras to protect the capital's 20 million citizens. Crime rates in the city have fallen by more than 48.9% since 2009.

Thales’ CeNTAI gathers 20 of most reputable experts in big data management and analysis.
They build algorithms focused on stream processing for detection and detailed analysis for investigation. After an initial project to detect online payment fraud, the CeNTAI is broadening its research scope to other aspects of cybersecurity.

Thales's SelTrac CBTC computer-based train control technology leads the way is acknowledged as the state of the art in urban rail signalling. It makes urban transport faster and safer, both in older systems such as the London Underground and in the most modern metro networks around the world.

Thales electrical systems for aircraft are replacing pneumatic and hydraulic technologies, helping to reduce weight and save fuel. Thales aims to achieve a 50% cut in CO2 emissions and 80% cut in NOx emissions by 2020 and is working towards the all-electric aircraft of the future.

ExoMars is a space exploration programme that aims to discover any traces of life on Mars. Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for the ExoMars missions planned in 2016 and 2018. ExoMars will provide researchers with huge amounts of data for many years to come, and hopefully answer David Bowie’s question!

The Stratobus hybrid airship is halfway between a drone and a satellite, offering high long endurance and complete autonomy from a fixed position more than 20 km above the surface of the planet. The airship will be able to carry out a wide range of missions including observation, security, telecommunications, broadcasting and navigation.

Thales develops lighter electrical systems to replace pneumatic and hydraulic ones on aircrafts, allowing for fuel savings. Thales aims to achieve a 50% cut in CO2 emissions and 80% cut in NOx emissions by 2020. It is still dreaming of an all-electrical aircraft in the near future.

With the Avionics 2020 cockpit, Thales showcases commercial aircraft technologies and concepts for the next 20 years. Cockpits of the future will allow for intuitive interaction with machines, designed to tailor the pilot’s needs.