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ITSEC exhibition
Orlando, 1^st December 2008

In a world first for a combat helicopter simulator, Thales Australia's Tiger ARH Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Crew Procedural Trainer (CPT) has been accredited at the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey, Queensland.

It follows last year's accreditation and delivery by Australian Aerospace Limited to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) of one of the world's most sophisticated aircrew training systems - a twin-domed Full Flight & Mission Simulator (FFMS).

The Thales CPT completes a suite of sophisticated training devices incorporated in the AIR 87 acquisition programs under which the Army will receive 22 Tiger ARHs, and enlarges the Oakey Centre's crew training capabilities.

It is the first time a tactical trainer of this type has received such high-level accreditation, which covers flight and tactical functionalities, including weapons system with sensors, plus Night Vision Helmet capability.

Simulinc, the accreditation authority, conducted comprehensive testing with teams from Thales, prime contractor Australian Aerospace and its parent, Eurocopter, and the Commonwealth.

Brian Wellington, Simulinc CEO, said: "Tiger CPT is accredited as a Level 2 Flight Training Device. The tests were completed in one week instead of the scheduled two, with minimal failures. This is an excellent result."

"These results were due to a concerted effort by all concerned over an extended period and to excellent preparation of the CPT prior to testing. This is a very good CPT - I am confident it will prove a useful and valuable training device."

Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia's Managing Director, said "the accreditation marked another highlight for the company's simulation business. This outcome is the result of close and successful cooperation between all those involved, and is another example of the high quality solutions Thales delivers to the ADF."

Commented Australian Aerospace CEO, Dr Jens Goennemann: "This is another important milestone in the Tiger ARH program and delivers on our industry's undertaking to the Commonwealth last year to provide the Australian Defence Force with a full suite of simulation capabilities for the tactical training of Tiger ARH crews."

About Thales and Thales Australia
Thales is a leading international group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales's expertise in its core markets spans the entire value chain, providing all the capabilities its customers require, from equipment and systems to comprehensive support services, and including prime contracting on large-scale programs. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with revenues in 2007 of AUD21.5 billion.

Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing 3,700 people in over 35 sites around the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues in 2007 amounting to over AUD1 billion.

About Australian Aerospace
Australian Aerospace Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter which is, in turn, a part of the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Group (EADS). Created in 2003 through the merger of Eurocopter International Pacific Limited and Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd, the company has evolved into a major defence supplier to the Australian Government and a leader in the Asia-Pacific civil helicopter market.  With financial strength and access to the expertise of Eurocopter and the EADS Group, the company is well placed to offer outstanding solutions to military and civil customer requirements. Some 860 staff at its facilities in Sydney, Richmond, Brisbane, Redcliffe, Oakey, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland are engaged in testing, supplying, maintaining, modifying and enhancing civil and military helicopters for the Australian and export markets, and support some 350 helicopters in the region.

See Thales at I/ITSEC Booth 700
Mark Rouson (Mob. +44 79 77 24 12 81)

Press contacts
Libby Noble
Thales Australia
+61 2 9562 3150
+61 (0)434 155 881
libby.noble@thalesgroup.com.au