Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics Celebrates 30th Anniversary

April 18, 2019

This week, Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics USA in Grand Prairie, TX commemorates 30 years of incorporation in the U.S. In April 1989, the original SFIM, Inc. opened for business as a FAA Part 145 Repair Station. It began with only three employees and a mission to provide repair capabilities on the autopilot system and actuators for the North American helicopter market.

Over the course of three decades, the company has proudly supported the U.S. military through its long partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard on the HH-65 program as well as the U.S. Army Lakota program. There have been more than 430 Lakotas delivered with the Safran avionics package consisting of the autopilot system, the Attitude & Heading Reference System (AHRS) and a data acquisition unit.

The company has extensively broadened its capabilities and products by certifying as a FAA Part 21 Manufacturing facility in 2011, followed by the acquisition of the Eaton – Costa Mesa, CA facility in 2014. Through this growth, which encompassed cockpit controls, inclusive of annunciator switches and illuminated control panels, the company’s workforce doubled in size.

The acquisition of the Electro-Mechanical Systems business unit from Collins Aerospace, earlier this year, continues the company’s growth in flight controls for the civilian aerospace and military markets.

Now specializing in optronics, navigation, avionics, electronics and critical software in both rotorcraft and fixed-wing markets, Safran’s U.S. customer base includes federal, state and local governments, airlines, cargo carriers, and many other companies in the aerospace and defense sectors. 

The entire Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics USA team proudly celebrates the company’s past, and together with loyal customers, looks to embrace the future.