EADS Socata to Upgrade the French Armed Forces’ TBM Aircraft Fleet
- 28 TBM 700s in French military service will be modernized during a five-year, 1.7 million euro program
Tarbes, France, 04 February 2008
EADS SOCATA today announced it has received French Defense Procurement Agency notification of a 1.7 million euro contract to upgrade the French armed forces’ TBM 700 aircraft fleet.
This modernization involves 28 TBM 700s currently in service with the French Air Force, French Army Aviation and the French National Flight Test Center. EADS SOCATA will provide the hardware and systems, implement the modernization, and update TBM 700 fleet documentation.
Primary modifications will be the installation of a Mode S transponder with antenna diversity, the hardening of VOR receivers, and replacement of the chemical oxygen system by a gaseous oxygen system with quick-drop mask.
“This contract underscores the French Armed Forces’ high level of confidence in EADS SOCATA,” explained Raphaël Maître, the aircraft manufacturer’s Vice President of Customer Services. “It also demonstrates EADS SOCATA’s ability to develop, certify and implement major aircraft modifications with the highest level of safety for our operators, and which meet the latest standards.”
The French military’s TBM 700 fleet passed its combined 130,000 flight hour mark in 2007. The inventory is composed of 14 TBM 700As in French Air Force liaison squadrons, nine TBM 700As and three TBM 700Bs in the French Army Aviation Transport Squadron, and two TBM 700As in the National Flight Test Center.
About EADS SOCATA
EADS SOCATA is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.
EADS SOCATA is expanding its customer service activities, to support its growing fleet of TBM and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 5.7 metric tons through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and other bases in Cognac, France and Morocco EADS SOCATA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS group.
In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter, and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programs from Ariane to Galileo. Its Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA. EADS also develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division.
