Aircraft

Airbus selects Thales for A350 XWB cockpit avionics

By David Kaminski-Morrow

French manufacturer Thales is to supply avionics and navigation equipment for the cockpit of the Airbus A350 XWB following an award by the European airframer.

Thales has been competing against Honeywell and Rockwell Collins for the flight deck supply contract.

A Thales spokeswoman confirms the award. The company values the agreement at around €2 billion ($2.9 billion) over a 20-year period.

Graphic of proposed A350 XWB cockpit

Airbus’ cockpit for the A350 XWB is based on an all-new design featuring six display screens: two mounted in front of each pilot, and two mounted vertically on the console between them.

Several major systems suppliers have already been selected to provide equipment for the A350 XWB.

These include Honeywell for the auxiliary power unit, Goodrich for the thrust-reverser and engine nacelle, Parker Aerospace for the hydraulics, and Messier-Dowty – along with Liebherr-Aerospace – for the landing gear.