Our History
Building a trusted, enduring name in mission-critical solutions for aviation and defense.
For over 70 years, Thomas Global Systems has earned a reputation for delivering high-reliability electronic solutions. This rich legacy is built on world class engineering and innovation that continues to advance with technology and customer requirements.
Since its founding as Thomas Electronics of Australia in 1956, Thomas Global Systems has been recognized for practical innovation, reliability and state-of-the-art technology. Originally established by Thomas Electronics, Inc. of New Jersey together with a consortium of Australian investors, Thomas Electronics of Australia initially manufactured monochrome picture tubes for the Australian television market. By the late 1960’s, the business had transitioned to be an independent company and was the largest manufacturer of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in Australasia.
Over the next two decades, Thomas Global continued to develop their CRT production and MRO business, and to expand into military display applications, including production of avionic CRT assemblies for F/A-18 and Seahawk helicopter programs. Thorn EMI divested its 50% shareholding in 1986. Thomas Global went on to expand the avionic displays and related systems business to the commercial air transport market, later developing CRT-to-LCD flight deck solutions for commercial operators globally. The company also leveraged their military systems design and integration capabilities to begin supplying specialist military systems to customers in Australia and the United States.
Today, Thomas Global’s products and solutions are installed in the flight decks of major airlines and military aircraft operators, and in other military land, air and sea platforms globally. Business offices, research, manufacturing and MRO facilities strategically located in the United States and Australia provide a platform to support and expand relationships with customers and partners worldwide. The future presents significant opportunities and challenges for enhancing our customers’ operational efficiency and life cycle costs through developments in aviation and defense electronics. Thomas Global is committed to applying practical innovation and technology to deliver trusted solutions that meet the needs of tomorrow.
TIMELINE: KEY MILESTONES
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1956
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1961
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1975
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1983
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1986
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1989
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1994
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1996
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1998
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2002
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2007
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2011
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2013
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2020
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2022
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2023
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2024
1956
Thomas Electronics of Australia Pty. Ltd. is founded as a joint venture between Thomas Electronics, Inc. of Wayne, New Jersey, and a consortium of Australian investors led by the Hutchinson and Clarkson families. The company begins manufacturing monochrome picture tubes for the Australian television market.
1961
Thomas Electronics of Australia bought out the majority of US shareholders, resulting in 80% local ownership.
1975
Thomas Electronics discontinues monochrome picture tube manufacture and adapts its plant for “re-gunning” of color picture tubes.
1983
Thomas Electronics commences production of avionic CRT assemblies for Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 and Royal Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter programs.
1986
Thorn EMI divested its 50% shareholding.
1989
In the late 1980s, Thomas Electronics began repairing avionic CRT assemblies for commercial air transport carriers.
Thomas Electronics receives CASA approved maintenance organisation certification to maintain aircraft components for Qantas Airways and Ansett Australia.
1994
The company discontinues color CRT re-gunning and monochrome CRT production.
The company signs an agreement with Honeywell Aerospace to provide overhaul service for avionic CRT assemblies for MD-11 flight decks.
1996
The company is selected to supply PC-9 Cockpit Procedural Trainer Instrument panel display sub-systems to BAE Systems.
ISO9001 Quality Assurance certification from SGS.
1998
The company becomes a founding member of the Australian Industry Group (AiGroup).
Boeing selects the company to develop the TDU-850 display for the Seahawk Helicopter Simulator.
2002
Selected to develop and supply LCD displays for the Kalkara UAV Program Ground Station by BAE Systems.
Royal Australian Navy ANZAC Frigate Ship displays – Tenix Defence
The company establishes US and UK representative offices for North American, UK and European commercial airline customers.
2007
The company provides visual systems support for Royal Australian Air Force Wedgetail simulator (Thales Australia).
Representative offices in Japan and Korea are established.
2011
Thomas Global Systems relocates to new, modern facilities in Sydney, Australia.
2013
Thomas Global Systems, LLC. established in Irvine, California to better support the U.S. and international customer base.
Launch of the new corporate identity.
2016
Company’s 60th Anniversary.
Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Australia’s Federal Minister for Defence, opens the company’s new Electronic and Embedded Systems Innovation (EESI) Hub.
Excellence in Innovation Award at the Aviation/Aerospace Australia Airspace Awards.
2017
Delta Air Lines, as launch customer, selects Thomas Global Systems to design and deliver new TFD-7000 Series LCD EFIS/EICAS displays for its Boeing 757 and 767 fleets.
2018
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, visits Thomas Global Systems manufacturing facilities in Sydney.
2020
COVID-19 was a major challenge for industry and for the business across both its U.S. and Australian operations. The company navigated carefully and emerged stronger, working closely to support its valued customers and supply chain partners.
2022
Thomas Global Systems is selected by SkyWest Airlines, Inc., to upgrade its MHI CRJ Series flight decks with Thomas Global’s TFD-4000 LCD flight displays.
Thomas Global Systems is selected by the Commonwealth of Australia as the Prime System Integrator for the Australian Army’s M1A2 Abrams Immersive Tactical Trainer (ITT), supporting the acquisition of 75 M1A2 Abrams System Enhancement Program Version 3 (SEPv3) Main Battle Tanks (MBT).
2023
Thomas Global Systems is selected by Boeing to design, qualify, and manufacture avionics for the AH-64E Apache helicopter program.
With a strategic focus on expanding global opportunities in simulation and training—the company established a dedicated Simulation & Training Solutions business unit to deliver advanced defense simulation and training technologies.
2024
Thomas Global Systems is awarded a significant, multi-year contract to supply advanced immersive training systems for the AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) as part of Hanwha Defence Australia’s delivery of the LAND 400 Phase 3 program for the Commonwealth of Australia.
Thomas Global Systems is selected by Lockheed Martin to deliver next-generation computing input/output (I/O) capability.
