Thales continues to dice with Panasonic for leadership of the top-end IFE systems market, announcing another major order to follow up those publicised at last week’s Aircraft Interiors show in Hamburg.
Korean Air has selected Thales’ TopSeries AVOD system for installation in six recently acquired Airbus A330-200s. The carrier has already ordered TopSeries for ten Boeing 787s, 35 777s and another 19 A330s.
The latest Korean deal is the fourth to be announced by Thales in the last few days. Last week the Irvine, California-based operation unveiled orders from British Airways, Japan Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
British Airways plans to retrofit 18 Boeing 777s with TopSeries. Last November BA selected the system for the Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s and 777-300ERs that it has on order.
JAL wants TopSeries for installation in all seats in its Boeing 767s and 777s. Last year the airline selected TopSeries for the Boeing 787s it has on order. In the 787 TopSeries will feature larger in-seat screens and a new slimline passenger control unit.
Saudi Arabian Airlines had selected the new Digital Single-Aisle (D-SA) version of TopSeries for 42 Airbus A320s. D-SA will deliver advanced broadcast entertainment with a measure of interactivity in economy and full AVOD in business. The carrier already has TopSeries on 22 Boeing 777s.
The Korean installations will include the new passenger control unit (PCU), a USB port for personal entertainment devices and in-seat power for laptops. Among the content to be offered is a small map display on the PCU, 3D games, images from live external cameras and daily news. First deliveries are set for next month.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Although the Pentagon claims that current systems can detect this type of threat, it has confirmed that measures will be taken in order to maintain the US's edge over its adversaries.
The UK and France aim to deliver a new cruise missile in 2030 as part of the MBDA-led Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) project.
China's Multi-Domain Precision Warfare project is aiming to disrupt US networks, and could outpace the Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative. A retired US Army general explains what the Pentagon is doing about it.
Although AI provides several operational benefits in the defence arena, it can also put armed forces in risky situations.
Connect with us on socials
