Thales announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) and Motion Tracking businesses from Gentex Corporation. Called “Visionix”, the combined group designs, develops and delivers HMD, inertial tracking and sensor fusion technology for defence and aerospace applications, along with others that require precision motion tracking, to customers worldwide. Visionixoperates from locations in Aurora, Illinois and Billerica, Massachusetts.
The acquisition of Visionix will give Thales the ability to offer highly capable HMD technology amid rigorous budget constraints within the market. Visionix’s motion tracking technology (sold under the brand name “InterSense”) integrated into its Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System provides an optimal solution of choice for pilots and integrators that allows for rapid deployment as well as affordable procurement and life cycle costs.
“This acquisition is a strategic fit that complements Thales’ global portfolio of Helmet Mounted Sight and Display systems for rotary and fixed wing platforms. We will greatly benefit from these innovative and provenVisionix product offerings,” said Michel Mathieu, head of Thales’ Avionics Division.
“This new business dynamic enhances our ability to support war-fighters by providing increased situational awareness in tough environments,” said Allan Cameron, President and CEO of Thales USA. “This acquisition will help us to achieve our ambition of growth in the US defence market,” he added.
Visionix will operate as a subsidiary of Thales Communications, a Thales USA company that operates under a proxy agreement with the US Department of Defence. The business will maintain both of its existing locations with the current management team remaining in place. The acquisition is conditional upon receiving certain regulatory approvals.
“Visionix is a global provider and partner of choice for industry-leading situational awareness products. Merging our HMD and motion-tracking business with Thales, a proven leader in the global defence and aerospace markets, will accelerate our ability to develop more market-defining products that fundamentally enhance our customers’ ability to perform their missions,” said Pete Roney, Gentex Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Visionix.
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Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the defence and security and the aerospace and transport markets. In 2011, the company generated revenue of $18.3 billion (equivalent of €13.1 billion), with 67 000 employees in 56 countries. With its 22 500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com
