Safran Electronics & Defense, the European leader in inertial navigation, recorded a new record of more than 3,000 orders for navigation systems based on hemispherical resonator gyros (HRG) in 2016.
By successfully maturing this advanced technology, Safran has clearly confirmed its status as an innovative enterprise, capable of meeting the fast-evolving requirements of both civil and military markets.
The HRG, a proprietary Safran technology, comprises a small number of miniature solid-state components. It offers reduced cost of ownership, while also delivering unrivaled precision, reliability, compact design and robustness.
HRG-based inertial navigation systems are perfectly suited to applications where GPS cannot be used, whether for multifunction optronic (electro-optical) systems, georeferencing and guidance systems, or on satellites and launch vehicles. The technology is particularly apt for maritime operations, including commercial ships, offshore platforms, coast guard missions and governmental actions at sea, scientific vessels, etc. It also provides clear advantages for both land vehicles and aircraft, including drones.
To keep pace with this market success, starting this year Safran will increase the production capacity of its Coriolis plant in Montluçon, central France, to 1,000 HRG-based systems a year.
This plant already produces both ring laser gyro (RLG) and fiber optic gyro (FOG) navigation systems.
Safran has developed proven expertise in all inertial technologies (mechanical, laser, fiber optic, resonating), and can draw on more than 60 years of experience in the production of navigation systems for civil and military platforms operating in all environments.
Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defense and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 70,000 employees and generated sales of 17.4 billion euros in 2015. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index, as well as the Euro Stoxx 50 European index.
Safran Electronics & Defense is a world leader in optronics, avionics, electronics and critical software for both civil and defense applications. The company’s products are deployed worldwide on more than 500 ships, 7,000 armored vehicles and 10,000 aircraft.
