OREANDA-NEWS. Thales (Euronext: HO) announces that it has been selected by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) to supply its state of the art Flight Management System software, i-FMS200, which will be embedded in the avionics mission equipment package that Northrop Grumman will provide to upgrade the US Army’s UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters. The upgraded version of the Black Hawk helicopter will be known as UH-60V.

Thales has been working closely with Northrop Grumman Corporation over the past three years to provide a proven, scalable and modular Flight Management System (FMS) software design that meets the requirements for the UH-60V program.

Thales’s FMS software has proven its ability to be integrated by Northrop Grumman into its newest equipment during a flight demonstration on-board a UH-60L helicopter.

Moreover, hosting the Thales’s FMS software directly on Northrop Grumman’s mission computer will provide architecture weight and cost optimisation on the UH-60V aircraft, eliminating the need for stand-alone FMS hardware.

More than 750 aircraft are expected to be modified under the UH-60V programme.

Northrop Grumman has also selected Thales to provide the civilian certified TOP Star 200 GPS system.

“This is a further expansion of our presence in the US military helicopter market. We are very pleased to be a key supplier to Northrop Grumman on this important programme“.         

Alan Pellegrini, CEO of Thales USA

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.

Thales employs nearly 3,000 people in the USA, across 21 locations in 13 states, including Joint Ventures. The company also has a U.S. supplier investment of \$482.6 million in 42 States and the District of Columbia. Thales has demonstrated its commitment to the U.S. economy by establishing a solid local workforce and domestic production capability across all markets. In 2013, Thales revenues in the USA amounted to approximately \$1.65 billion.