Safran Electrical & Power: a breakthrough on the drones’ market

XSun, what is it? A start-up created in 2016 to develop, manufacture and operate solar drones, which role is to ensure the surveillance of industrial or military installations (wind farms, high-voltage lines etc). The drones manufactured by XSun are autonomous in terms of piloting and of energy (thanks to the solar sensors installed on their surface which allow them to be completely independent from fossil energy).

Safran Electrical & Power won a contract to manufacture the wiring of their pre-series drone SX 1.2. This contract represents for XSun the opportunity to work with an historical partner of the aeronautical industry. For Saint-Nazaire, the objective is to diversify its activities but also to redefine its modes of functioning. “The main challenge is to work fast and in accordance with the start-up agility, it is very inspiring”, says Sebastien Dupleich, Head of Programs and Operations for Services activities.

Saint-Nazaire teams won the contract but the harness was manufactured in Safran Electrical & Power Villemur-sur-Tarn facility, dedicated to wiring manufacturing. It was delivered on October 2. Although this contract involved only on a manufacturing activity, Jan-Elmar Kunze, Saint-Nazaire facility General Manager would like to ensure this relationship with XSun. “Our objective would be to operate a complete delivery, from the design to the after-delivery services,” Jan-Elmar says. To be continued…