TD Thales Deutschland GmbH

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defense, aerospace and security markets worldwide. 22.000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems support Thales leading-edge technology. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development.

Thales Deutschland GmbH (Business unit “Electron Devices” (TD)) is a Business Line of the Avionics Division, one of the seven divisions of THALES Group. It is the world leader in electron tubes and devices for professional applications.

TD develops, produces and sells Microwave Tubes, High Power Gridded RF Tubes, X-Ray Tubes, X-Ray Image Intensifiers and Flat Panel Displays. Inside TD all activities regarding RF and microwave sources are linked to RFM (RF and Microwave Sources) with 3 sites of facilities in Vélizy, Thonon and Ulm. In addition to this field of activities there is a development division for Electronic Propulsion Systems (EPS) on the site in Ulm.

The Ulm plant was built in 1945 when it started to manufacture RF and microwave tubes. The plant employs 480 people including 40% of managers, engineers and highly qualified technicians in 16 000 m² of industrial surface, including 1 200 square meters of clean-rooms. About 80 Engineers and Physicists are working in the Technical, Engineering, Quality and production support departments. The facility is certificated according to EN 9100 (including 9001) and EN 14001 as well as social security 18001.

Role of TD in the project

TD is defining the EPS and developing the HEMP-Thruster modules, having setup and qualified the Hemp thruster assembly in the frame of the HEMP-TIS project for the OHBs SGEO platform. In that sense TD has demonstrated the capability to develop and to deploy such complex electric propulsion systems. In addition TD has the manufacturing capacity already today to manufacture space products in quantities that would be needed to satisfy the LEO market needs due to being the market lead for traveling wave tubes.