Transas and Thales Team up for Development of Integrated Avionics System for Civil

Russian Transas, French Thales’ aerospace activities and the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC (Russia) on 17 of May signed an agreement on designing and developing of an integrated avionics system for Mi-38 helicopter. The signing took place at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin ILA-2006.

Under this agreement, Transas is responsible for the development and manufacture of an integrated avionics system based on Transas own solutions. Thales will adapt and deliver an Auto Flight Control System (AFCS). Besides within the framework of this project, Thales will supply considerable part of the helicopter power-supply system. The first delivery of Mi-38 is due in 2008.

It is seen that Russia’s oil and gas sector will be the major user for this new helicopter. The demand for this aircraft is already high, which allows the program to be considered cost-effective. An attractive aspect of Mi-38 is that its creation program is run under the aegis of the Federal Agency on Industry of Russia and is financed from the budget. In the Russian helicopter industry this is the only government supported program.