Thales to supply ILS420 systems for US FAA

Thales has received a contract to supply initial five Instrument Landing Systems model 420 (ILS420) for the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for deployment throughout the US National Airspace System (NAS).

The systems are the first procurement under a five-year contract.

Thales ATM US vice president Tony Lo Brutto said, "As the FAA transitions to NextGen, Thales will continue to help support and modernize the FAA’s inventory of navigational aids."

Designed to provide pilots with precise vertical and horizontal navigation guidance for smooth, safe approach and landing, the ILS420 meets the requirements of the FAA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for Category III operations.

Additionally, Thales ILS systems need less maintenance activity than similar technologies on the market.

Currently, the US is operating more than 1,200 Thales MK20A ILS and older generation systems.

With high maintainability supported by user-friendly remote control and monitoring, the ILS420 is highly resistant to severe weather conditions and features latest solid state technology design with enhanced reliability and signal stability.

In addition to enhancing all weather safety and performance, the ILS420 system also features common module concept for low maintenance cost as well as user-friendly remote monitoring system.