Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Features
  • /
  • Thales supports Battle of Britain memorial

Features

Thales supports Battle of Britain memorial

Thales UK has supported a campaign to commemorate the command and control system and people that played such a key role in helping the Royal Air Force (RAF) win the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Following a successful appeal by the Association of RAF Fighter Control Officers, enough funds have been raised to commission and install a specially-designed stained glass window at the historic former RAF station at Bentley Priory, which played a strategic role as the London wartime headquarters of Fighter Command.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2

 
The window commemorates the part played by those who helped direct the fighter squadrons to intercept the German bombers during the conflict. The resources available included radar data, at the time a new and top secret technology that gave the RAF a significant advantage. By providing a recognised ‘air picture’ of the threats, the RAF were able to intercept and defend in a timely and organised manner.
 
The window will also help remind the successors to the operators – the RAF’s current Aerospace Battle Management personnel – about their heritage and the ongoing vital requirement for such skills in modern air operations. Today, Thales UK provides the RAF with essential Aerospace Battle Management systems and equipment such as the Tactical Air Control Centre (TACC) and the Air Defence Ground Environment Data Link Buffer System (ADLBS). In the air, Thales UK supports a range of fighter, ISTAR and Air-to-Air Refuelling assets including Typhoon, Sentry and Voyager.
 
Advertisement
Farsound RT Brain

Stuart McCullouch, Chair, Association of RAF Fighter Control Officers, says: “We were so pleased to have this opportunity to recognise the enormous and ground-breaking part that these operators played in the Battle of Britain and the other air battles over the UK during the war. Sadly many of their colleagues are no longer with us and it we felt it was most important that as many as possible of those remaining should see the unveiling of a lasting memorial to honour their contribution.”
 
Marion Broughton, head of Thales UK’s military aerospace business, says: “Thales UK is at the heart of current RAF operations through our training services, avionics equipment and essential aerospace battle management systems. We are proud to continue supporting the RAF in its air defences role and felt it wholly appropriate to support this worthy appeal marking 72 years after the historic Battle of Britain.”
 

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation LB 1
Securing military connectivity in contested environments

Features

Securing military connectivity in contested environments

14 March 2024

Tristan Wood, founder of Livewire Digital, explores the power of hybrid networking and how it can underpin robust wide area networks across all arms and services, from land, sea and air.

Defining data-centric security in complex future warfare

Features

Defining data-centric security in complex future warfare

1 March 2024

John Dix, Land Communications, Thales, considers the role of data-centric security and evolving soldier systems integration, in complex future warfare.

Is Just in Time a thing of the past?

Features

Is Just in Time a thing of the past?

1 February 2024

Paul Adams, aerospace and defence sector specialist at Vendigital, explains why Just in Time production is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon.

Could R&D tax reform have consequences for A&D supply chains?

Features

Could R&D tax reform have consequences for A&D supply chains?

11 January 2024

Jenny Tragner, Director and Head of Policy at ForrestBrown, looks at why R&D tax reform could have unintended consequences for aerospace and defence (A&D) supply chains.

Advertisement
Marshall RT
Busting automation myths and embracing robots

Features

Busting automation myths and embracing robots

13 December 2023

Carl Patrick, Robot Sales Manager – Machine Tool Automation at FANUC UK, busts some of the myths surrounding greater automation and explains why we should be embracing robots.

Dealing with a supplier SOS

Features

Dealing with a supplier SOS

6 November 2023

Paul Adams, Director and aerospace & defence sector specialist at Vendigital, highlights the ways in which OEMs and their suppliers can proactively address critical supply chain risks.

Advertisement
ODU RT