Cobham Aerospace Communications
Cobham Aerospace Communications designs and manufactures antennas, avionics systems, and external aircraft lighting for the global aerospace sector. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Rungis, France, it was acquired by Thales Group in April 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1923
- HeadquartersRungis, France
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cobham Aerospace Communications does
Cobham Aerospace Communications designs and manufactures antennas, aircraft avionics systems, and external aircraft lighting for the aerospace sector. Headquartered in Rungis, France, and founded in 1923, the company serves global aerospace and defense customers with hardware products that are typically embedded on long-life airframe platforms. Its core product categories — communications antennas, avionics subsystems, and exterior aircraft lighting — are safety-critical components subject to stringent airworthiness certification and OEM qualification requirements, which structurally favor incumbent qualified suppliers.
In April 2024, Cobham Aerospace Communications was acquired by Thales Group, a France-based aerospace and defense conglomerate that reported €22.14 billion in 2024 annual sales with 8% year-over-year growth driven by record defense orders. The acquisition was explicitly positioned to strengthen Thales' avionics portfolio in communications and connectivity, making Cobham a wholly-owned subsidiary within the Thales group. Post-acquisition, Cobham's product roadmap and go-to-market are expected to align with Thales' broader aerospace strategy, though specific named products, pricing models, and revenue mechanics are not detailed in publicly available source material. The company employs between 1,001 and 5,000 people, with operations now embedded in a larger parent's commercial and defense channels.
Cobham Aerospace Communications firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cobham Aerospace Communications
- Website
- https://cobhamaerospacecommunications.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1923
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Cobham Aerospace Communications designs and manufactures antennas, avionics systems, and external aircraft lighting for the global aerospace sector. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Rungis, France, it was acquired by Thales Group in April 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cobham Aerospace Communications industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Avionics
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link) (IMABAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits (IMABAFAL)
Keywords
Where Cobham Aerospace Communications is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rungis
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Cobham Aerospace Communications business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Cobham Aerospace Communications product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cobham Aerospace Communications designs and manufactures antennas, aircraft avionics systems, and external aircraft lighting for the aerospace sector. The company supplies communication and connectivity hardware used by civil and military aerospace platforms and is now part of Thales Group's avionics portfolio.
Product overview
Cobham Aerospace Communications operates as an aerospace communications and connectivity solutions provider within the avionics sector. The company was acquired by Thales Group in April 2024. Based on the source material, the company's portfolio centers on avionics communications and connectivity products for the aerospace sector, though specific named products or modules are not detailed in the available sources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aircraft antennas Antennas designed and manufactured for aerospace communications and connectivity on civil and military aircraft.
- Aircraft avionics systems Avionics systems for communications and connectivity used on aerospace platforms.
- External aircraft lighting External lighting systems for aircraft, supporting safety and visibility requirements on civil and military platforms.
Companies that use Cobham Aerospace Communications
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
Cobham Aerospace Communications technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cobham Aerospace Communications partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Thales GroupcoreIn April 2024, France-based Thales Group acquired Cobham Aerospace Communications to strengthen its avionics portfolio in communications and connectivity for the aerospace sector. The acquisition was part of Thales' strategy to expand its avionics capabilities, following Thales reporting €22.14 billion in annual sales in 2024 with 8% growth driven by record orders in its defense division.
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights3 records
Cobham Aerospace Communications competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- L3Harris Technologies: Defense-focused communications and avionics supplier serving military aviation platforms with radios, data links, and tactical communications. Comparable to Cobham Aerospace Communications in aerospace communications hardware, but oriented primarily to defense customers and broader mission systems.
- Collins Aerospace (RTX): Tier-1 avionics and communications supplier across commercial, business, and military aviation. Highly comparable as a direct competitor in aircraft communication, navigation, and external lighting subsystems, but operating at far greater scale within a diversified aerospace conglomerate.
- Honeywell Aerospace: A major avionics incumbent offering a broad portfolio of cockpit, navigation, and communications systems for commercial and military aircraft. Comparable as a large-scale supplier competing in the same avionics and connectivity categories as Cobham Aerospace Communications, but with a much wider product range.
- Thales Avionics (post-acquisition parent): Now the parent organization of Cobham Aerospace Communications following the April 2024 acquisition. Thales' avionics business provides flight management, communication, and connectivity systems across commercial and military platforms, overlapping heavily with Cobham's pre-acquisition product set.
- Safran Electronics & Defense: French aerospace group with avionics, navigation, and flight-control offerings for civil and military aircraft. Comparable as a European-based avionics supplier in similar product categories, including navigation and mission systems that overlap with Cobham's avionics communications focus.
Emerging players
- Avidyne Corporation: Specialist avionics supplier focused on integrated flight decks, traffic systems, and datalink communications for general aviation and light business aircraft. Comparable in avionics and connectivity categories, but with a narrower platform focus than Cobham Aerospace Communications.
Direct peers
- Garmin: Major avionics provider for general aviation, business jets, and increasingly commercial platforms, with strength in integrated cockpit and communication systems. Closely comparable to Cobham Aerospace Communications as an avionics and connectivity supplier, particularly in non-airsline segments.
- Universal Avionics (Elbit Systems): Subsidiary of Elbit Systems supplying avionics, navigation, communication, and flight deck systems for business, commercial, and military aircraft. Comparable as a mid-tier avionics specialist with overlapping communications and connectivity offerings to Cobham Aerospace Communications.
- HEICO (Sensor Systems / Radiant Power subsidiaries): Acquired legacy Cobham antenna business assets (Sensor Systems) and supplies aerospace antennas and lighting products. Directly comparable as a specialist in aircraft antennas and external lighting, occupying the same niche Cobham Aerospace Communications historically served.
Others
- Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions (legacy CAES): Descendant of the legacy Cobham defense electronics business, now operating independently as CAES and supplying RF, microwave, and electronic warfare hardware. Related via shared Cobham heritage and adjacent aerospace communications technology, though no longer part of the same corporate group.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Cobham Aerospace Communications social profiles
Digital presenceCobham Aerospace Communications financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cobham Aerospace Communications leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cobham Aerospace Communications funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cobham Aerospace Communications M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cobham Aerospace Communications
What does Cobham Aerospace Communications do?
Cobham Aerospace Communications designs and manufactures antennas, aircraft avionics systems, and external aircraft lighting for the aerospace sector. The company supplies communication and connectivity hardware used by civil and military aerospace platforms and is now part of Thales Group's avionics portfolio.
Is Cobham Aerospace Communications a public or private company?
Cobham Aerospace Communications is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Cobham Aerospace Communications founded?
Cobham Aerospace Communications was founded in 1923. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Cobham Aerospace Communications based?
Cobham Aerospace Communications is headquartered in Rungis, France, in the Europe region.
Who are Cobham Aerospace Communications's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are L3Harris Technologies, Collins Aerospace (RTX), Honeywell Aerospace, Thales Avionics (post-acquisition parent) and Safran Electronics & Defense. Avidyne Corporation is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Garmin, Universal Avionics (Elbit Systems) and HEICO (Sensor Systems / Radiant Power subsidiaries). Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions (legacy CAES) is listed as an others.
Does Cobham Aerospace Communications have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cobham Aerospace Communications.
What industry is Cobham Aerospace Communications in?
Cobham Aerospace Communications's product category is Aerospace Avionics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAG, Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link), with a secondary code of IMABAFAL, Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.