OREANDA-NEWS. Thales announces that China Southern Airlines has selected the Dual Head Up Displays (HUD) configuration across 30 of their new Airbus A320s, alongside the Thales Flight Management System and LRRA Radio altimeter.

With this order, Thales scores a double first in China. This represents the largest contract for HUDs and the first ever for a dual configuration system since the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) made it mandatory for all Chinese registered aircraft to be equipped with HUDs (single HUD configuration is the minimum requirement). This further milestone cements Thales’s continued position of strength in the Chinese avionics sector over 1000 Chinese registered aircraft equipped. In China Thales enjoys 60% market share in FMS, 70% market share in IFEC, 40% coverage in air traffic management.

The dual configuration developed by Thales, and certified by Airbus in early 2015 is a clear step forward compared to a single configuration as it provides information to both pilots. With eyes focused outside, viewing the presentation of flight path, acceleration, visual glideslope angle and the runway aim point, both pilot and co-pilot can achieve greater precision and situational awareness at all times and are able to interact with one another with the same level of information during the critical phases of the flight, especially in low visibility conditions.

With this contract, Thales becomes a leader in HUD technology in China. The Group will equip its HUDs across China Eastern, Sichuan Airlines and Loong Air, as well as Spring Airways.
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 61,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €13 billion in 2014. With over 20,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its unique international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.