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30 May 25. cortAIx SG: Thales Accelerates Trusted AI Innovation in Singapore with Strategic Partnerships
- Thales’s global acceleration in trusted AI extends to Asia for the first time with the launch of cortAIx SG. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), cortAIx SG aims to drive the ethical and effective adoption of AI in Singapore, in alignment with Singapore’s National AI strategy. The Group’s global expansion of cortAIx to Singapore has the dual purpose of serving the needs of both the civil and defence ecosystems.
- Thales is strengthening its strategic partnerships in Singapore by launching joint initiatives with CAAS1, DSTA2, and HTX3 across Aviation, Defence, and Public Safety and Security. These enhanced collaborations include an expanded innovation partnership with HTX focused on AI, border security, quantum, and cybersecurity technologies, as well as the creation of a joint Avionics Lab with CAAS—supported by Changi Airport Group, ICAI4, SATS, and Singapore Airlines—to drive next-generation avionics solutions.
- With these partnerships, cortAIx SG will become an integral part of the Group’s global cortAIx network of 800 highly-skilled AI and data experts, supported by local talent with deep expertise in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science.
On 30th May, Thales and EDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the launch of cortAIx SG to extend the Group’s global AI programme to Asia, and further accelerate on AI research and industrialisation. With more than 100 products integrating AI, Thales already develops and deploys trusted AI-powered systems in the most complex and challenging environments. Building on this strong foundation, cortAIx SG will serve as an important accelerator, identifying critical challenges and developing high-impact AI solutions for Thales’ business units across Singapore and the broader Asia region. The centre will play a key role in driving the development and implementation of trusted AI systems in complex and mission-critical environments, thereby strengthening Thales’ R&D capabilities and long-term innovation footprint in Singapore. cortAIx SG positions Thales Singapore as a hub for AI leadership and joint innovation, aligned with the nation’s ambitions under the National AI Strategy. The centre will be driven by several key initiatives: including projects that enhance utilisation of knowledge and sensor suites to aid planning and decision support; increase operational efficiency; and drive human-autonomy teaming. Thales will work with the Singaporean government and ecosystem to grow domain and technology capabilities in Singapore, bringing together cutting-edge technology, talent and research to AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable, and operationally effective. The announcement was made on the occasion of French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron’s State Visit to Singapore, with multiple agreements signed on 29th May and during the France–Singapore Frontier Technologies Forum on 30th May.
1.Expansion of Strategic Partnership with HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency)
Thales and HTX first signed a Master Agreement for Strategic Partnership for Innovation in 2020. Today, they expanded the scope of this partnership, extending it for another three years to:
- Establish a joint-lab focused on AI-enabled technologies, local capability development and the formation of best practices for trustworthy AI within the local context;
- Enable technology insertion through agile collaboration, testing and technology experimentation aligned to HTX’s evolving needs. Thales will support HTX in translating early-stage technical solutions into concrete systems that can be integrated into HTX’s homeland security programmes to drive rapid innovation and early adoption;
- Jointly develop a shared Research and Development (R&D) strategy and future technology roadmap relevant to public safety and security, bringing together HTX, Thales, academia and startups, across five critical technology frontiers: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies and Space.
2.Joint Avionics Lab with Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to innovate avionics-oriented solutions
CAAS, Changi Airport Group (CAG), the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), SATS Ltd. (SATS), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29th May 2025 to foster greater innovation and collaboration at the aviation ecosystem level.
Under this MOU, the partners will work together to identify key challenges to solve and undertake joint innovation projects to develop solutions, which could include the following:
- Air traffic optimisation, by combining airlines’ flight operations and cockpit data with air traffic management information. AI-enabled algorithms can detect and predict holding patterns within a particular radius around Changi Airport, helping manage congestion and leading to reduced flight delays.
- Digitalising and optimising the data shared between airlines, air traffic management and airports. Data from sensors in the aircraft, like cameras or inflight entertainment systems, can provide real-time, automated data to complement current data streams like video content from ground infrastructures. Enhancing these with AI models can help airlines, air traffic managements and airport operators improve collaborative decision making.
The Avionics Lab in Singapore, the first of its kind for Thales outside France, represents a significant milestone in deepening Thales’ avionics capabilities in Singapore and the region. The Avionics Lab complements the AIR Lab (jointly set up by CAAS and Thales in 2019 to work on cutting-edge Air Traffic Management solutions) to optimise air transport operations in the region. The Avionics Lab will serve as a vital platform for collaborative innovation, between the world leading aviation eco-system in Singapore and Thales, to co-develop and test cutting edge concepts grounded in real-world operational scenarios, strengthening Singapore’s position as a hub for aviation technologies.
3.AI in critical systems for Defence through DSTA – Thales co-lab
Announced in April this year, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Thales have set up a joint lab for AI-enabled technologies, which can augment combat systems currently in use by the Singapore Armed Forces to efficiently handle drone threats. The lab will work on joint projects, the first of which is related to Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and advanced sensors. Thales is also providing a cyber-secured and AI-powered autonomous mine countermeasures system to the Republic of Singapore Navy, in partnership with ST Engineering. The sonars and mission management system are accompanied by data analysis tools reinforced with AI, in order to facilitate target detection and identification that ease the workload of operators.
These initiatives form the core of Thales’s AI strategy in Singapore and touch on key sectors aligned with the National AI Strategy 2.0. These collective partnerships will see Thales grow its pool of AI experts in Singapore to over several dozen in the next three years, adding to the Group’s global cortAIx network of 800 highly-skilled AI and data specialists.
“The launch of cortAIx SG by Thales will add new capabilities to Singapore’s growing AI and innovation ecosystems, and builds on Thales’s longstanding presence in Singapore. We look forward to the impactful AI-enabled solutions cortAIx SG will develop in partnership with our ecosystem for Singapore and the region,” said Cindy Koh, Executive Vice President, EDB.
“Thales is honoured to be working with our strategic partners in Singapore to bring new technologies to the fore, whether in aviation, in public security or to help reinforce national defence and sovereignty. Being able to announce the launch of cortAIx SG this week, in the presence of Ms Clara Chappaz, French Minister Delegate for AI and Digital Affairs and Ms Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity, is a true recognition of our role as a technology leader, notably as France and Singapore celebrate 60 years of bilateral cooperation. cortAIx SG will be a valuable asset to help our customers and partners embrace the vast opportunities AI has to offer, deploying it as a force for good, in support of Singapore’s National AI Strategy. We are excited at the prospect of bringing our leading technology, talent and research to deliver AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable and effective.” said Philippe Keryer, Senior Executive Vice President, Strategy, Research and Technology, Thales.
28 May 25. With the successful completion of the first release milestone for its CERETRON software, sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is ushering in a new era in digitally networked sensor technology and automation. As part of a comprehensive system concept, a software-defined defence runtime environment has been put into operation that seamlessly integrates containerized algorithms into ground-based systems. The system successfully controlled optronic reconnaissance sensors via the standardized HENSOLDT architecture and displayed video streams and algorithm results in near real time. Supplemented by the company’s own object recognition and object-based tracking in a GVA (Generic Vehicle Architecture) -compliant user interface, CERETRON is already demonstrating in this early phase its ability to map simple control sequences just as reliably as complex target detection and reconnaissance processes.
“CERETRON not only opens up significant technological advances for us, but also creates new perspectives for our business development and future orders,” says Christina Canitz, Head of Division Optronics at HENSOLDT.
Modular software architecture for scalable automation
CERETRON is designed to be gradually expanded into a modular software system that will be continuously enhanced with new functions and interfaces in six-month release cycles. The next steps include the integration of additional sensor technology, such as the See Through Armour System (SETAS), and the connection to leading battlefield management systems such as “SitaWare” and “Adler”. At the same time, technical conditions are being created that enable flexible distribution of the computing load between central servers, distributed vehicle systems, and directly at the sensor.
Software-defined defence: networking and automation in combat
With CERETRON, HENSOLDT connects sensors, soldiers, and weapons in a continuous battle chain – a paradigm shift toward software-defined defence. The system supports the automated execution of action sequences on sensor platforms, from booting up the sensor suite to assisted close and long-range reconnaissance and post-mission debriefing. Intelligent assistants take over health monitoring, parameterize mission-specific settings, and ensure smart reporting. Automatic object recognition and data fusion from different sensors (image, acoustics, radio, and radar) aggregate data into mission-relevant information. The situation thus determined can be distributed in a data volume-optimized manner even at low bandwidth on the battlefield. CERETRON thus creates the conditions for early detection and countering of new threats such as drone and missile attacks.
NATO-level interoperability and shared information space
CERETRON complies with important international standards such as NGVA and GVA, which guarantees interoperability with third-party systems. Seamless integration into the Shared Information Space and connection to command-and-control systems such as “FüWES” and “BMS” optimize digitally supported combat operations. Continuous development and platform independence ensure that users are always up to date and can respond flexibly to changing mission requirements.
27 May 25. Hermeus, a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company specializing in high-speed aircraft, announced today the flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 aircraft. This milestone is a significant step in Hermeus’ development of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft. With this flight, Hermeus demonstrated a rapid development pace, advancing Hermeus’ mission to operationalize hypersonic technologies.
“Mk 1 has redefined the pace of developing and flying new aircraft,” said AJ Piplica, CEO and Co-Founder of Hermeus. “I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. We’ve proven the viability of our iterative development approach. But this is just the start. We have much more to do as the bar rises for the next iteration.”
Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The primary focus of the test campaign was validate high-speed takeoff and landing of a large uncrewed aircraft. The aircraft’s unique configuration — driven by high-speed flight — makes basic operations of takeoff and landing distinctly challenging.
“Industry partnerships continue to have an important role in the development and test of disruptive and innovative capabilities for our warfighters,” commented Major General Scott Cain, Commander of Air Force Test Center. “The promise of routine hypersonic flight is an exciting capability for the joint team.”
Data from the campaign has validated design and performance models, including aerodynamics, stability and control. Testing also validated performance of vehicle subsystems including propulsion, fuel systems, hydraulics, power, thermal management, avionics, flight software, telemetry, flight termination and command and control.
“The real-world flight data from Mk 1 provides significant technical value that we’re rolling into our next aircraft,” said President and Co-Founder Skyler Shuford. “Moreover, the team has accomplished this milestone on a challenging timeline while operating within the overall aerospace ecosystem — all to support rebuilding America’s lost capability to quickly develop brand-new, full-scale jets.”
Quarterhorse Mk 1 is the first in a series of uncrewed aircraft on Hermeus’ iterative development roadmap. The approach emphasizes ‘hardware richness’ – building multiple prototypes in quick succession, allowing the team to take well-managed technical risk. The team is actively reviewing data and integrating lessons learned into Hermeus’ next iteration, Quarterhorse Mk 2, currently being manufactured at Hermeus’ headquarters in Atlanta. The scale of an F-16, Quarterhorse Mk 2 is a high-Mach aircraft designed to de-risk uncrewed supersonic flight. It is on-track to fly late this year. Hermeus is a venture capital-backed aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate aviation. In the near-term, the business is focused on building high-speed products that sustainably deliver asymmetric advantage to the Department of Defense and allied partners. Utilizing an iterative development approach to aircraft, Hermeus’ high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft aim to deliver capabilities at a pace not seen in the U.S. since the 1950s. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
26 May 25. Largest ever UK defence AI trial conducted across land, sea and air. Sailors and air crews are set to benefit from new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities following the UK’s largest ever multi-domain AI trial, bringing together land, sea and air equipment. The trial provides valuable data to develop and validate AI algorithms. It strengthens the UK’s position as a leader in defence innovation, supporting the government’s Plan for Change. For the Royal Navy, AI technologies developed through these trials will enhance maritime surveillance, improve threat detection in complex sea environments, while enabling faster decision-making during naval operations. The Royal Air Force (RAF) will benefit from advanced target recognition systems that can process information from multiple airborne sensors simultaneously, reducing pilot cognitive load and enabling more effective air operations in challenging conditions. Building on previous trials – known as WINTERMUTE – this third iteration involved around 200 scientists from the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl), military personnel from the Royal Navy and RAF, industry representatives and international partners collaborating at Portland Harbour to develop critical AI systems for automatic target detection and recognition.
Over a five-day period, visual infrared and band radar data was recorded from Royal Navy vessels, ground vehicles, and both manned and unmanned aircraft, operating in mission-based scenarios. The groundbreaking trial follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP said: “We can all see how AI has the potential to impact our lives and enhance our war fighting ability, and UK defence is embracing this leap forward in technology to better support our personnel on the frontline.
Significant trials like this, working with international and industry partners, demonstrate the rapid progress we’re making to utilise new technology for keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad. The programme included crucial participation from the United States and Australia, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to international defence partnerships, which helps drive long-term national growth and support the government’s Plan for Change.”
Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s Chief Executive, said: “This innovative trial represents a significant advancement in how we develop and test defence technologies. By bringing together multiple domains and partners, we’re not just collecting data – we’re creating the foundation for mission success and operational advantage that will protect our forces for decades to come. The use of these AI systems is designed to support, not replace, human decision-making in defence operations. The technology aims to reduce cognitive burden on military personnel by filtering information and providing clearer battlefield intelligence. By curating high-quality data from multiple domains, Dstl is creating the foundation for future AI systems that will provide UK forces with operational advantage in complex environments.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
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Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
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The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
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Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
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