Safran innovates to develop tomorrow' technologies, products and services for the aerospace, defense and security markets.
In our constantly accelerating world, Safran conducts Research & Development programs that aim to enhance the circulation and security of people, goods and data.
In a world undergoing deep changes, Safran provides concrete solutions that allow us to address the major issues facing society: conserve our natural resources and protect our environment, support countries' modernization and help stabilize our society.
We are also investigating new area of research and experimentation, even disruptive technologies, to maintain our leadership and invent new horizons.
Innovation is an integral part of Safran's corporate culture, inherited from our founders and perpetuated by the 66,500 men and women who never stop developing tomorrow's technologies.
Research & Technology (R&T) is a fundamental part of Safran, allowing us to drive continuous improvements for a safer and more environmental-friendly air travel.
Safran is already exploring different technologies to develop tomorrow's aircraft engines. The primary aim is to create quieter, cleaner, more fuel-efficient and more economical engines. These efforts address the objectives for 2050 set by ACARE, the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe:
The LEAP engine, set to enter service in 2016, already promises remarkable environmental performance:
Safran is calling on the full sum of its expertise to take a major step towards "more electric" aircraft. What this means is that the traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems will be gradually replaced by electrically-driven systems. The upshot is aircraft with more available power and greater energy efficiency. They will also be more reliable and more economical, because of lower production and maintenance costs.
Safran is working on an electric taxiing system that will be a major breakthrough in this area. It will allow aircraft to taxi without using their jet engines, an innovation that offers a host of benefits: less noise, reduced fuel consumption and a decrease in CO2 emissions during taxiing. In addition this innovative system will improve the on-time performance of commercial airplanes.
Safran develops innovative solutions to improve people's lives and strengthen national security: detection of hazardous and illicit substances, personal safety and transaction security, biometric ID documents, and much more.
Drawing on our proven expertise in biometrics and explosive detection, Safran is now designing integrated airport checkpoints. The aim is to simplify and speed up the different checks before passengers can board an airplane, while also enhancing security. Safran's new XDi™ system, also under development, should enable airports to eliminate the current restrictions on liquids in carry-on luggage; it is based on X-ray diffraction technology, or XRD.
We also supply latest-generation identification documents to governments, including ID cards, passports, voter cards and driver licenses.
Another main focus at Safran is the expanded use of contactless technology to simplify daily life. For instance, we developed MorphoWave™, an advanced biometric sensor that can read four fingerprints on a moving hand. This innovative solution reduces the risks of transmitting germs, and also facilitates the use of ID systems in countries whose culture limits physical contacts between persons. MorphoWave™ is especially well suited to applications such as border control in airports, access control to heavily used, high-value sites, and flow of people management.
We now cover the entire range of identity security, whether physical or digital, and we aim to offer the same security and ease-of-use when checking a passport as when authenticating an online transaction.
Today, especially in the West, governments are cutting their space and defense budgets. At Safran, that means we have to boost performance and reduce costs to address changing conditions. We are now developing innovative new technologies in these sectors to underpin tomorrow's more cost-effective systems, while maintaining impeccable quality and reliability.
Safran Electronics & Defense launches the Patroller cluster
Between major investments, a large number of people who work on research & development (R&D) and state-of-the-art facilities, Research & Technology (R&T) is one of the prime movers of Safran's growth.
In our core markets of aviation, space, defense and security, Safran must anticipate our customers' needs. Innovation is an integral part of our corporate culture and a key to our strategy.
To bolster our innovation policy, in 2014 Safran built two new world-class research centers. One consolidates R&T teams from throughout the Group, while the other focuses on composite materials.
The new Research & Technology center, dubbed Safran Tech, is tasked with fostering the emergence of new technologies. It has three main thrusts:
Safran Tech is located at the Group's Paris Saclay site, which will also welcome corporate R&T, the Innovation department and Paris area teams from Safran Engineering Services and Safran Nacelles. The site will eventually house 1,500 staff members, including outside partners.
Safran Composites is wholly dedicated to R&D for composite parts. Located in Itteville, in the greater Paris area, it was inaugurated in May 2014. Safran invested some 50 million euros in this composites hub, which will eventually count 150 specialists.
In addition to our own Innovation and R&T units, Safran has created a highly organized in-house network of 300 experts, responsible for developing the highest-performance technologies around. All of our experts have earned their special status and career management support. Safran nurtures an atmosphere that allows these experts to share their knowledge across the Group.
We have also set up a Scientific Council, bolstering our position within the greater scientific community. Chaired by well-known physicist Mathias Fink, the Council comprises seven internationally known researchers, each specialized in one of Safran's core disciplines: physics, solid and fluid mechanics, applied mathematics, surface chemistry, materials, automation and numerical simulation.
Along with these initiatives, Safran is a major player in Europe's Clean Sky research program, designed to foster the emergence of disruptive technologies in the aviation sector. The overall aim is to improve the environmental performance of aircraft and their engines to make air transport greener than ever.
Over and above major research programs, innovation at Safran is an integral part of everybody's mindset.
In fact, we have organized an annual event to spotlight our people's achievements, the Innovation Awards. This competition mainly recognizes the most promising initiatives developed by Safran employees. Safran has signed the Employee-driven Innovation Charter, initiated by the association Innov'acteurs. Based on seven principles, this charter seeks to spread the innovation culture across the enterprise eco-system.
At Safran, achieving excellence also means reducing the development time and cost of our products. We coordinate innovation through seven main technology fields that apply to all of our business sectors.
We will continue to invest heavily in research and innovation so we can offer our customers the breakthrough, and even disruptive technologies that add significant value, while carving out a position on upcoming programs.
At Safran, we're exploring a number of different technologies to help us develop engines that are quieter, greener and less expensive.
Airbus Safran Launchers' technological expertise in all aspects of energetic materials makes us a world leader in solid propulsion. Solid propellants provide the energy needed by solid rocket motors, whether for missiles or launch vehicles. To maintain our technological leadership, the joint-venture between Safran and Airbus Group deploys innovative processes, coupled with long experience in managing the risks involved.
Safran’s comprehensive expertise in aircraft electrical systems is a key driver in the development of a “more electric” aircraft that is more economical, more reliable and less polluting.
To optimize the reliability of its onboard electronic systems, Safran produces ultra-durable components capable of withstanding the full spectrum of in-flight environmental conditions.
Safran designs and manufactures sensors that offer constantly improving capabilities in areas such as real-time engine health monitoring, high-precision baggage scanning, and virtually instantaneous biometric identification. The aim is to develop autonomous systems that can be used at a day-to-day level.
Modeling and simulation technologies that deliver important gains in terms of efficiency, reliability and competitiveness are key to Safran’s product design and development process.
Safran deploys cutting-edge expertise to develop innovative materials and manufacturing processes designed to enhance product performance, in terms of strength, weight and environmental impact.
Use electric motors for aircraft taxiing, read fingerprints on a moving hand… Safran offers products at the cutting edge of innovation, reflecting our technological excellence. Below we show you three excellent examples.
Safran is deploying innovative materials and production processes to reduce aircraft weight and improve engine performance. One of these solutions in 3D weaving using the RTM (resin transfer molding) process, enabling the production of complex organic matrix composite parts, as light as they are strong. They are made by injecting liquid resin into a preform made of carbon fibers woven in three dimensions, then placed in a metal mold for curing.
This innovative technology is used on the fan blades and cases for the LEAP engine. It is even used on the fin stabilizer on the Safran Open 60 monohull ocean racer, sponsored by Safran and skippered by Morgan Lagravière. With this advanced technology, the fin offers enhanced shock resistance.
For the first time, a system can identify fingerprints without being in contact with the hand! Dubbed "MorphoWave™", this innovative system captures and processes fingerprints on a moving hand in just a few seconds. This technology limits the risks of transmitting germs, and is also appropriate for countries where the culture limits physical contact. It will also simplify and speed up border checks at airports.
Safran is the European leader in inertial navigation, a technology that allows autonomously determining the position of a vehicle in space. The hemispherical resonator gyro (HRG) is the future of navigation. It's the third generation of inertial reference units designed by Safran, and will take over for mechanical and laser gyro based units.
The HRG offers a host of benefits, especially small size and exceptional reliability, because its measurement of angular velocity is virtually unaffected by interference. This means it can operate continuously and failure-free for dozens of years.
Safran is counting on the benefits of sharing expertise to push the innovation envelope. We apply this collaborative mindset via partnerships with not only major research labs, but also our suppliers. By pooling expertise we accelerate the innovation process and better meet our customers' needs.
Safran deploys a collaborative innovation approach with our suppliers to further expand the bounds of innovation. An approach of this type allows all stakeholders to fully capitalize on this pooled expertise.
Pushing back the boundaries of technology to develop innovative new concepts means working closely with the scientific community. At Safran we call on a wide range of partners around the world, including renowned laboratories, prestigious schools and universities, and dedicated research programs.
Strategic investor in innovative startups active in Safran's business sectors.
At Safran, innovation is an integral part of our competitiveness. It's also a state of mind and a culture that irrigates our entire Group. Each and every employee is invited – encouraged in fact – to submit new ideas. This participative approach to innovation demands a dedicated organization, and is also celebrated each year at the Safran Innovation Awards.
Innovation is not just for specialists at Safran. An integral part of our DNA, innovation is omnipresent throughout the enterprise.
Innovation concerns everybody at Safran. An annual competition, the Innovation Awards, is eagerly awaited by everybody in the Group. It recognizes the most promising initiatives developed by employees, as well as our suppliers and partners.
