Thales today announced that it has been selected by Airbus to provide the Electrical Power Conversion System (EPCS) for the new long-range, wide-body Airbus A350 XWB.

Thales is present on other Airbus aircraft such as the A380 and the A400M with equipment such as Advanced Electrical Generation Systems, avionics systems and cockpit displays, however this is the first time that Airbus has selected Thales's Power Conversion System technology.

Thales is growing in Electrical Power Generation and Power Electronics capability and 2007 in particular saw a run of significant contracts highlighting the company's expertise in this domain.

The system, set to be fitted aboard the A350 XWB, comprises a set of equipments using new technologies that will convert the electricity provided by different sources into the appropriate standard voltage required by various applications. Its electrical network will include several electrical standards ranging from direct current (DC) to variable frequency alternating current (AC).

François Quentin, Thales Senior Vice President in charge of aerospace businesses commented, "We are extremely proud of this win, which is a first for Thales with Airbus in this field. As a market leader, paving the way forward and preparing the future of Air Transport, Thales has set the standard for key technologies enabling more efficient electrical power management and this win illustrates Airbus' recognition of this position and our capabilities. "

This selection reinforces Thales's technology leadership in High Level Power Conversion and Power Electronics for a demanding Air Transport Aircraft market. Thales is already present via different technologies for Power Conversion aboard large passenger aircraft and aboard regional aircraft and business jets.

This is the second package won by Thales onboard the A350 XWB. The company was selected at the beginning of the year for the Integrated Modular Avionics suite, the Interactive Control and Display Systems and the Air Data and Inertial reference unit for the A350 XWB aircraft. This batch of selections is expected to generate up to 2 billion euros in revenues over the first 20 years of in-service life for the aircraft, which is scheduled to enter service in 2013.