Thales has announced that it is to expand its Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) portfolio with the acquisition of the HMD and motion tracking businesses of Gentex Corporation. The company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Gentex Corporation’s Visionix business line, which designs, develops and delivers HMD, inertial tracking and sensor fusion technology for defence and aerospace applications, along with others that require precision motion tracking.
According to the company, the acquisition of Visionix will give Thales the ability to offer highly capable HMD technology ‘amidst rigorous budget constraints within the market’. Visionix’ motion tracking technology is sold under the brand name InterSense, and is integrated into its Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System.
Michel Mathieu, head of Thales’ Avionics Division, said: ‘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 proven Visionix product offerings.’
Allan Cameron, president and CEO of Thales USA, added: ‘This new business dynamic enhances our ability to support warfighters by providing increased situational awareness in tough environments. This acquisition will help us to achieve our ambition of growth in the US defence market.’
Visionix will operate as a subsidiary of Thales Communications, a Thales USA company that operates under a proxy agreement with the US Department of Defense.
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