Thales has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Cobham Aerospace Communications (AeroComms) for $1.1 billion.
AeroComms designs, produces, and supports a portfolio of avionics solutions focused on cockpit communications. Its product range includes full L-band satcom systems (antennas and transceivers), complete digital audio and radio management solutions, and passive antenna systems enabling connectivity, communications and navigation.
AeroComms employs 690 throughout facilities in France, South Africa, the USA, Canada, and Denmark. Annual sales are estimated at $200 million, with about 30 percent of that total related to defense.
“With the acquisition of Cobham Aerospace Communications and its highly skilled team of aerospace communications experts, and combined with our own critical avionics experts, Thales will establish a game changer in the very attractive and fast-growing communications and connectivity market to the benefit of a more sustainable aerospace future. By guaranteeing a cyber-secured, live connection between the cockpit and air traffic control, aircraft will be able to fly optimized trajectories in real-time, significantly reducing fuel consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions in the next two to three years,” said Yannick Assouad, Thales Executive Vice-President Avionics.
According to Thales, by integrating AeroComms’ unique leading safety cockpit communication systems portfolio, the company will be ideally positioned to seize the opportunity of the shift toward connected cockpits. By the end of the decade, Thales will be able to fully address the permanent and secured connectivity needs of the aeronautical market. The enhanced portfolio will offer a variety of solutions, including:
* Real-time and cyber-secured air-to-ground services
* Increased operations’ efficiency (enabling eco-friendly/green flight, full spectrum cockpit connectivity)
* Better pilot assistance, paving the way to future autonomy solutions
* Reduced OEM installation burden, with integrated offers and reduced aircraft weight and drag (smart antenna)
The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2024 upon completion of the usual merger control and regulatory approvals.
