Thales Optronics

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Thales Optronics is a major unit of Thales Group and has three main subsidiaries:

  • Thales Optronics Ltd. (UK)
  • Thales Optronique SA (France)
  • Thales Optronics B.V.

[edit] Thales Optronics Ltd.

Thales' optronics businesses in the UK are as a result of the acquisition of Pilkington Optronics. Pilkington Optronics was formed by Pilkington plc in 1988 to take control of the company's varied optronics businesses (formerly Pilkington Perkin Elmer/Pilkington PE and Barr and Stroud, Glasgow). Pilkington PE would later become Thales Optics Ltd., and - following divestment from Thales in December 2005 - now trades as Qioptiq Ltd (www.qioptiq.co.uk).

In 1988 Thomson-CSF acquired W Vinten Ltd, a British reconnaissance equipment manufacturer (now Thales Optronics (Bury St Edmunds) Ltd.)

In 1991 Thomson-CSF acquired a 50% share of Pilkington Optronics (PO). In 1995 PO acquired Thorn EMI Electro Optics which was renamed Pilkington Thorn Optronics (now Thales Optronics (Staines) Ltd).

  • In 1998 Thomson-CSF purchased another 40% of PO from Pilkington and the remainder in 2000 to make it a wholly owned subsidiary. In 2000 Thomson-CSF was renamed Thales and Pilkington Optronics Ltd. became Thales Optronics Ltd.

[edit] Products

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  • Search and track
    • PIRATE (Passive Infra Red Airborne Tracking Equipment) for Eurofighter Typhoon
    • Rafale FSO/OSF IRST systems
  • IRST systems
  • Self protection systems
    • Laser Warning Receivers
    • Laser countermeasures
  • Laser range finders
  • Sighting systems
  • Reconnaissance systems
  • Submarine Periscope Systems including the latest non-hull penetrating Optronics Masts systems
  • Electro-optic aircraft reconnaissance pods and image exploitation stations
  • AFV Fire Control and Navigation systems