Thierry Dubois has specialized in aerospace journalism since 1997. An engineer in fluid dynamics from Toulouse-based Enseeiht, he covers the French commercial aviation, defense and space industries. His expertise extends to all things technology in Europe.
Dassault, which traces back its roots to an innovative propeller designed by its founder, Marcel Dassault, in 1916, has kept the strong corporate culture of a family-run business with an omnipresent passion for aviation. Although relatively small – 12,000 employees – in a world of giants, it has remained fiercely independent.
Merger will join Safran’s activities in aircraft engines, space propulsion, landing gears and electronics with Zodiac’s cabin interiors and aircraft systems.
French company Thales, which continues to pursue big data analytics and other breaking technologies, could get a boost from election of Emmanuel Macron as president.
