CLARKSBURG, Md., – Thales is pleased to announce that Lewis Johnston, Vice President for Advanced Programs, Thales Communications, Inc., and Christian Serra, Chief Engineer for Software Radio Architecture and Technologies at Thales’ Land and Joint Systems Division in Paris, France, were honored as nominees for the prestigious Aviation Week Laureate Award for IT/Electronics. In a ceremony held earlier this month, Mr. Johnston and Mr. Serra were acknowledged for their key roles in the development of software-defined radio (SDR) solutions for warfighters worldwide. Aviation Week recognized Thales for its “enviable reputation” as an industry leader of SDR and Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) technology. Thales Communications, the U.S. company that pioneered SDR technology, participates in all JTRS domains and is currently fielding the only JTRS-approved handheld radio to be developed under a U.S. Government program of record—the AN/PRC-148 JTRS Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or JEM. The AN/PRC-148, the smallest, lightest, and most widely-fielded tactical handheld radio in the world, is the cornerstone of a complete system solution for the warfighter providing advanced communication capabilities for mounted and dismounted operation. Mr. Serra was cited for his role as chairman of the Software Defined Radio Forum (SDR Forum) from 2005 to 2007. The SDR Forum is a global organization in charge of promoting Software Radio concepts and technologies worldwide, addressing defense, commercial, homeland security, and regulatory domains. Thales is developing international software radio solutions, working on standards, system interoperability, and fielding FlexNet, a new SDR vehicular platform. “Thales discovered early on that implementing greater functionality and features in our hardware products could best be done through software-driven and SDR platforms,” said Lewis Johnston. “The emergence of the U.S. Government’s JTRS program provided us with a sanctioned roadmap for our own vision of SDRs for the tactical user.” Aviation Week and Space Technology’s “Laurel” Awards were conceived in 1957 to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals and teams in aviation, aerospace, and defense. Aviation Week and Space Technology’s editors honor people who epitomize the values and visions of the global aerospace industry in the following categories: Aeronautics/Propulsion, Business/General, Commercial Air Transport, IT/Electronics, Military, Operations, and Space.
About Thales Thales Communications, Inc. (www.thalescomminc.com), is a leader in the development of battle-proven, software-defined, radio equipment and solutions. The company provides critical communication capabilities for use in size-, weight-, and power-constrained environments in the Tactical, Homeland Security, and Naval/Maritime domains throughout the globe. A U.S. proxy company (100% American), Thales Communications is part of the Thales Group of companies (www.thalesgroup.com), a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defense, aerospace, and security markets worldwide. The Group’s civil and military businesses develop a base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property, and nations. The Group employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues in excess of $18 billion.
For more information, contact: Sheila Gindes Marketing Communications Manager Phone: (240) 864-7912 Email: sheila.gindes@thalescomminc.com