China Eastern Airlines and Thales/ACSS extend their avionics partnership with retrofit upgrades for improving air traffic efficiency and capacity

China Eastern Airlines has selected to retrofit its 203 B737 aircraft with the Thales/ACSS NXT-800 DO-260B compliant transponders to meet the requirements of the CAAC ADS-B Out mandate.

China Eastern Airlines is the first carrier in mainland China to select the Thales/ACSS NXT-800 transponder offered as a certified inter-mix retrofit solution through the Boeing Service Bulletin,resulting in substantial cost savings.

Thales/ACSS are the first certified DO-260B equipment providers in mainland China,and around the world. Today,the NXT-800 transponders are installed on more than 4,000 wide- and narrow-body aircraft worldwide,exemplifying their expertise in surveillance technologies.

BEIJING,Sept. 24,2020 -- China EasternAirlines,one of China's three major air transportation groups,has chosen Thales/ACSS to equip its B737 fleet with the NXT-800 DO-260B compliant transpondersto meet the CAAC's (Civil Aviation Administration of China) ADS-B Out mandate. This is the first inter-mix configuration retrofit with the Boeing Service Bulletin for DO-260B mandate in China.

© China Eastern

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is a surveillance technology enabling aircraft to transmit large amounts of information to air traffic control or any system equipped to receive and decode information broadcast by onboard transponders. The NXT-800 DO-260B compliant transponders and their ADS-B Out capabilities can reduce or replace the need for a traditional combination of primary and secondary radar systems,providing more detailed information,faster update rates and more accurate positional information,all of which significantly increase flight safety and efficiency. Additionally,ADS-B ground stations are a fraction of the cost of radar stations,enabling remote areas with limited surveillance infrastructure and capabilities to get a full view of their airspace at a much lower cost.

In view of these benefits,ADS-B Out has become a mandatory function for civil aviation in many regions of the world. Chinese commercial and general aviation operators have taken initiatives to undertake the DO-260B compliance retrofits to meet the CAAC DO-260B mandate due by the end of 2022.

China Eastern Airlines has selected Thales/ACSS,its long-term partner,to retrofit its 203 aircraft with the NXT-800 DO-260B compliant transponders to fulfill ADS-B Out capability. As part of the agreement,the current transponders on board will be replaced with Thales/ACSS NXT-800 transponders utilizing the Boeing Service Bulletin available for certified inter-mix retrofit. The airline will benefit from extensive cost savings through this inter-mix retrofit.

Being the first to market certified in both ADS-B In and Out Solutions,Thales' partner ACSS is a leading equipment manufacturer in the domain. The ACSS transponders are installed on more than 4,000 wide- and narrow-body aircraft worldwide. Thales/ACSS are the first certified DO-260B compliant transponders providers in mainland China,and around the world.

As one of the largest users of Thales/ACSS products in China,China Eastern Airlines has been in a close partnership with Thales for many years. Since its first selection of the full package of Thales avionics equipment in 2014,approximately 150 of its A320 aircraft have been equipped with Thales avionics products. In 2015,China Eastern became the first domestic airline in China to comply with the DO-260B standard by leveraging the Thales/ACSS T³CAS solution on some of its A320 aircraft. In 2018,China Eastern and Thales signed a Strategic Maintenance Cooperation Agreement,marking the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

"China Eastern and Thales' relationship goes back many years. Thales is already the Airline's preferred business partner in avionics. We are very honored to provide China Eastern with ATCtransponders in an active response to the CAAC's promotion of ADS-B technology. We will continue supporting our Chinese partners in building a safe and efficient future and flights we can all trust." Jerome Bendell,Vice President of Thales North Asia and CEO of Thales in China

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global technology leader shaping the world of tomorrow today. The Group provides solutions,services and products to customers in the aeronautics,space,transport,digital identity and security,and defence markets. With 83,000 employees in 68 countries,Thales generated sales of EUR 19 billion in 2019 (on a pro forma basis including Gemalto over 12 months).

Thales is investing in particular in digital innovations – connectivity,Big Data,artificial intelligence and cybersecurity – technologies that support businesses,organisations and governments in their decisive moments.

About Thales in China

Thales provides innovative solutions for the infrastructure that forms the backbone of China's growth. The Group has been present in China for around 40 years and is the trusted partner for the Chinese aviation and urban rail transportation industries. In the meanwhile,from secure software to biometrics and encryption,Thales has successfully applied its advanced technology to mobile communication,banking,IoT and software monetization etc. Thales has 3 JVs and employs 2,300 people with offices located in 8 cities in China. Thales established R&D centers and Innovation Hubs in Beijing,Dalian and Hong Kong to provide innovative solutions for both China and international market.

About ACSS

Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) is a joint venture,with 70 percent owned by L3Harris Technologies,Inc. and 30 percent owned by Thales. ACSS produces avionics systems that increase safety,situational awareness,and efficiency for commercial and military flight operators. They design and manufacture communications and surveillance products used throughout air transport and regional airlines,business aviation,helicopters,general aviation,military aircraft and unmanned vehicles with more than 75,000 ACSS products are operating globally. Thales Avionics is the exclusive sales and support agent of ACSS products to Commercial Air Transport customers operating Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

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