THALES AVS FRANCE SAS

Their core work

Thales AVS France is the avionics division of the Thales Group, one of Europe's largest defence and aerospace electronics companies. They develop flight management systems, air traffic management (ATM) infrastructure, communication-navigation-surveillance equipment, and safety-critical avionics for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Their H2020 work spans the full ATM modernization chain — from trajectory management and airport surface operations to RPAS airspace integration and runway safety systems. They also contribute to large-scale aircraft demonstrators through Clean Sky 2, working on systems integration for next-generation passenger aircraft.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), Thales AVS focused on foundational aviation safety research (Future Sky Safety), W-band wireless technology (TWEETHER), space-grade traveling wave tube materials (ERFTM), and the first wave of SESAR ATM modernization projects covering core functions like trajectory sharing, surface management, and runway throughput. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward SESAR Wave 2 projects with more advanced operational scope — RPAS airspace integration, extended AMAN queue management, dynamic TMA configuration, and integrated CNS systems. A notable addition is their entry into extended reality verification (iv4XR), signalling interest in software testing and simulation methods beyond traditional avionics.

Thales AVS is moving from core ATM infrastructure toward unmanned aircraft integration and digitally-enhanced airspace operations, positioning for the drone and urban air mobility era.

How they like to work

Thales AVS operates overwhelmingly as a participant (29 of 34 projects), contributing deep technical expertise to large SESAR and Clean Sky 2 consortia rather than leading them. Their 386 unique partners across 31 countries indicate they function as a hub organization — a go-to avionics partner that nearly every major European ATM and aerospace consortium wants on board. When they do coordinate (3 projects), it is in Clean Sky 2 Systems ITD where they own the integration responsibility, reflecting their role as a systems-level integrator rather than a research leader.

With 386 unique consortium partners across 31 countries, Thales AVS has one of the densest collaboration networks in European aerospace R&D. Their partnerships span the entire ATM ecosystem — from Eurocontrol and national air navigation service providers to universities and specialist SMEs across Western and Central Europe.

What sets them apart

Thales AVS brings a rare combination: they are both a major industrial avionics manufacturer AND a deeply embedded R&D partner in Europe's ATM modernization programme (SESAR). Unlike pure research organizations, they can take SESAR results from demonstration to deployed products in real cockpits and control towers. Their dual presence in Clean Sky 2 (aircraft systems) and SESAR (airspace management) means they understand both sides of the air-ground equation — valuable for any consortium that needs to bridge aircraft capabilities with ATM infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SYS GAM 2018
  Their largest project at EUR 23.3M as coordinator — the Clean Sky 2 Systems ITD demonstrating integrated aircraft systems at scale.
• PJ13 - W2 ERICA
  Addresses the critical challenge of inserting remotely piloted aircraft into controlled airspace, a regulatory and technical frontier for European aviation.
• Future Sky Safety
  Major cross-cutting safety research programme tackling aircraft fire, human performance, and organizational safety — rare breadth for an industrial partner.