Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
The move, detailed by Thales on June 14 just days before the Paris Air Show, follows the decision by French armaments agency DGA to integrate the new avionics suite into the new Airbus H160M Guepard (Leopard) utility helicopter.
As well as re-baselining elements of the program, the amendment also partly lifts a heavy financial burden from Airbus’ shoulders that Airbus' previous CEO said resulted in the airframer taking on a “lopsided” share of the risk.
