Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Thales has introduced the latest version of its Ground Master 400 radar family, the 400 Alpha, with faster processing power helping drive range 10 percent farther.

 


The GM400 Alpha adds five times more processing power, enabling&nbsp;the radar’s detection range to reach up to 515 km. That represents “an increase in surface coverage area of more than 20 percent compared to the GM400, with no change to the energy required by the transmitter or receiver parts of the radar,” Thales said.

 


Targets that the GM400 Alpha can detect include fast jets, missiles, hovering helicopters, and UAVs. The 3D radar can track both UAVs flying close to the ground and higher-altitude targets, according to Thales, “such as fighter-bombers at ranges of up to 515 km.”

 


The faster processing will allow Thales to add new capabilities, including advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and new cybersecurity features.

 


“Already supporting 17 nations, the Ground Master 400 radar family is a reliable and proven partner for air surveillance,” said Serge Adrian, Thales senior v-p surface radars activities. “The GM400 Alpha’s software design and processing architecture make it easy to upgrade current fielded GM400 systems, ensuring the radars’ resilience to emerging threats.”

 


In other Thales news, Gulfstream selected the company to provide the flight control computers for the new G400 and G800 business jets. Thales already provides flight control computers for Gulfstream's&nbsp;G650, G650ER, G500, G600, and soon-to-be-certified G700.&nbsp;

Thales Ground Master 400 Alpha Reaches Farther

The new Thales Ground Master 400 Alpha radar extends detection range as far as 515 km. 

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