Thales Optronics
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defence, Optronics, Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Pilkington Optronics, Pilkington PE, Barr and Stroud, Thorn EMI Electro Optics, W Vinten Ltd |
| Founded | 1988 (roots in Pilkington Optronics) |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Infrared cameras, laser range-finders, imaging solutions, IRST systems, laser warning receivers, laser countermeasures, targeting and sighting apparatus, reconnaissance equipment, submarine sensor technologies |
Number of employees | 630 (UK subsidiary) (2011 (UK subsidiary)) |
| Parent | Thales Group |
Thales Optronics operates as a manufacturer of optronics and functions as a branch of the French defense conglomerate Thales Group, with its main office situated in Paris. The company’s primary subsidiaries include Thales Optronique SA (France), Thales Optronics Limited (United Kingdom), and Thales Optronics B.V (Netherlands).
United Kingdom
The roots of Thales' UK optronics division date back to 1988 when Pilkington plc established Pilkington Optronics to unify its optronics operations: Pilkington PE based in North Wales (established in 1966) and Barr and Stroud located in Glasgow. Subsequently, Pilkington PE was transformed into Thales Optics Ltd., before being sold off as Qioptiq Ltd. in 2005.
In 1991, Thomson-CSF acquired half ownership of Pilkington Optronics. By 1995, Pilkington Optronics had taken over Thorn EMI Electro Optics, renaming it Pilkington Thorn Optronics. Thomson-CSF gained complete ownership by the year 2000, rebranding the entity first as Thales and Pilkington Optronics Ltd., and later as Thales Optronics Ltd. Soon after, Thomson-CSF expanded its portfolio by purchasing British reconnaissance manufacturer W Vinten Ltd, which included the Joint Reconnaissance Pod.
In November 2006, Thales Optronics Limited ceased operations at its Taunton production plant, resulting in a reduction of 180 positions. The following year, June 2007, saw the sale of its beryllium mirrors and structural components division to GSI Group Inc. for an undisclosed amount.
The company was honored with the Queen's Award for Enterprise in June 2011.
United Kingdom
Thales Optronics Limited is based in Glasgow, Scotland, employing approximately 630 personnel. The firm focuses on the development and manufacture of infrared cameras, laser range-finders, and imaging solutions designed for aerial reconnaissance, armored vehicle sighting systems, submarine periscopes, and target designation devices.
Financially, the firm reported revenues of £229 million in 2011, an increase from £212 million in 2010, alongside profits rising to £24.4 million from £14 million during the same period.
Products
- Search and tracking solutions
- PIRATE (Passive Infra Red Airborne Tracking Equipment) utilized by the Eurofighter Typhoon
- Rafale FSO/OSF IRST systems
- IRST (Infrared Search and Track) technologies
- Self-defense systems
- Laser range finders
- Targeting and sighting apparatus
- Reconnaissance equipment
- Submarine sensor technologies featuring advanced non-hull penetrating Optronics Masts that replace conventional periscopes on modern submarines
- Electro-optic reconnaissance pods for aircraft and image processing stations
- Fire control and navigation systems for armored fighting vehicles