Thales strengthens training & simulation capability through acquisition of XPI Simulation Ltd
XPI Simulation is a pioneer in using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions to build and deliver high-fidelity simulated environments. The company specialises in innovative techniques for processing LIDAR data, a technology which maps physical environments in ultra-fine detail using a range of light frequencies, and ray tracing, which generates highly-realistic images by tracing the path of light and simulating its interaction with virtual objects.
XPI designs and manufactures a range of simulator-based driver training systems – from desktop solutions to full-scale converted vehicles – for customers that include the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD), British police forces, advanced driver training providers, Transport for London’s road safety programmes, and Formula 1™ teams. In May 2012, XPI Simulation was awarded a significant contract to provide a high fidelity armoured vehicle driving simulator for the MOD’s Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
The acquisition strengthens Thales’s position as a global training and simulation provider within the land market.
Thales is a major supplier of synthetic training to the UK MOD and provides a range of solutions, from PC-based desktop trainers to designing, building, financing and operating training services for front line personnel.
Simon Skinner, Managing Director of XPI Simulation Ltd., says: “XPI is determined to remain at the forefront of the simulation industry. We recognise that research and development is our most valuable investment to ensure continuity of products in the market and to pioneer new solutions.
“This agreement with Thales will give us more opportunity for future growth, more investment to continue developing innovative, market-leading products, as well as giving us access to other markets in which Thales is present, both in the UK and overseas.”
Peter Hitchcock, Vice President at Thales UK, said: “XPI and Thales are an excellent fit for each other. The technology developed by XPI, which crucially can be delivered through COTS equipment, complements Thales’s own portfolio.
“Thales and XPI will jointly benefit from our combined longstanding relationships and commitment to customers in the UK MOD and other sectors, particularly in support of our ambitions within the military land training and simulation market.”
– ENDS –
Notes to Editors
- Thales has over 80 years’ experience in training and simulation, and is a strategic training partner to the UK Ministry of Defence, providing innovative industry-leading training services and capabilities on projects such as A400M, Voyager, Tornado, Lynx, and Sea King, as well as submarine simulators for the Trafalgar and Vanguard-class nuclear submarine fleets.
- The company recently celebrated 10 years of simulator and training services for the Tornado fleet based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Marham.
- Ray tracing is capable of simulating a wide variety of optical effects, such as reflection and refraction, scattering, and dispersion phenomena (such as chromatic aberration).
- The high-fidelity of ray tracing usually requires very high computational power; XPI has developed technology to deliver ray tracing in real time using COTS equipment.
- LIDAR is a remote sensing technology using ultraviolet, visible or near infrared light to map the physical features of a wide range of objects, including vehicles, rocks and even clouds to a very high resolution.
About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In 2012, the company generated revenues of €14.2bn (equivalent to £11.5bn) with 65,000 employees in 56 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 and local partners. www.thalesgroup.com
Thales UK employs 7,500 staff based at 35 locations. In 2012 Thales UK’s revenues were around £1.3bn. www.thalesgroup.com/uk