Thales delivers Flight Controls on Gulfstream G650ER

Key points

  • Thales is once again selected by Gulfstream to deliver fly-by-wire enabled flight control solutions to Gulfstream.
  • The G650ER, equipped with Thales-designed flight controls, is the longest range business jet in the world.
  • Beyond the G650ER, Thales now supplies fly-by-wire flight controls on four Gulfstream platforms. The G500 and G600 and the G650, the most sophisticated full fly-by-wire business jet in the industry.
 
On the opening day of the National Business Aviation show 2014, Thales announces they have once again been selected by Gulfstream to deliver fly-by-wire flight control systems on the G650ER unveiled in May. This follows the unveiling of the G500 and G600 programmes on October 14, which will also feature Thales fly-by-wire flight controls.
 

The G650ER will be the longest range business jet in the world. Its 7,5000 nautical miles range (13,890 kilometers), opens up more destination pairs than ever before for a business jet, including New York to Hong Kong or Los Angeles to Delhi.

This requires flight controls that ensure superior performance and safety whilst reducing weight and optimising volume, therefore reducing fuel consumption. All Thales designed flight controls on Gulfstream jets have been designed specifically with these goals in mind.

Thales now boasts fly-by-wire flight controls on four Gulfstream platforms. Beyond the G650ER, Thales is now on-board the G500 and G600 unveiled on October 14 and on the G650, sister aircraft to the ER, the most sophisticated fly-by-wire business jet in the industry, and to date still amongst the most reliable and high performing in the world.

“The selection of Thales-designed flight control systems for the G650ER, along with the G500 and G600 as recently announced, proves that the relationship we are building with Gulfstream keeps strengthening. It is also positive proof of the maturity of our products and the added value we strive to achieve for our customers.”

Michel Grenier, Thales Vice President in charge of aerospace activities in Canada

Notes to editors
Thales flight control technology onboard G650ER
Thales’s FBW solution consists of two digital flight control computers (FCC) and one backup flight control unit (BFCU), which use the latest design evolution of quad-dual flight control computer architecture and modular packaging. This electronic system, which is the core of an aircraft’s FBW architecture, ensures superior performance and safety, weight and volume optimization, and an exceptional dispatch rate.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion 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.
About Thales aerospace activities in Canada
Thales Canada has 1,300 employees in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver working in Defense & Security, Aerospace Avionics and Transportation. Sales across Thales operations in Canada exceeded US $450 million for 2013 to a range of customers including urban rail service providers, civil aviation companies, and military and security agencies. Through its three decades of experience in designing flight control systems, Thales Canada has developed unparalleled know-how in providing innovative flight control electronics solutions. Its expertise includes the engineering of avionics suites and flight controls, as well as the development of critical systems and software solutions.