Safran Data Systems, an instrumental role in air & space

art of Safran Electronics & Defense, Safran Data Systems operates in very different markets from the Group’s other businesses. Now 700 people strong, it traces its roots to the telemetry and instrumentation markets – in other words, acquiring data on a moving vehicle and transmitting it to a ground station.

LEADERSHIP GROUNDED IN EXPERTISE

The associated technologies are traditionally called on to acquire and store data during test flights of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, missiles and drones, as well the latest flying taxis and other new mobility modes. In fact, Safran Data Systems addresses an entire market segment dedicated to the testing of moving vehicles in the broad sense of the term, for both civil and military applications. Another core business segment is the production of ground stations for satellite data transmission and reception. The company provides a complete slate of design and production services for products including antennas, modems and highspeed receivers.

This focus on niche markets is a defining characteristic of Safran Data Systems. As CEO Jean-Marie Bétermier explains, “The company’s footprint stops when a plane starts to fly; we’re only involved in test programs, not production. That means we’re not dependent on aircraft sales volumes, so we’ve been less affected by the current crisis. However, we operate in limited markets, which demand constant performance improvements. The solution is to invest heavily and continuously, so we can meet increasingly demanding expectations. Our quality has to be flawless, since we operate in small markets where word of mouth really resonates.”