Safran Optics 1: “We are a key supplier to all branches of the US military”

Joseph Bogosian: We started out by optimizing operations to support a turnaround and position ourselves for scalability. With innovation at the heart of our strategy, we’ve developed new products to help our customers meet their mission objectives in reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting, ultimately supporting the sovereignty of our nation and of our close allies.

With our expanded product line, we then put the focus on capturing new business and establishing a steady revenue stream. We succeeded in winning several multi-year programs and contracts, resulting in a growth rate of over 20% per year since 2015. This success led to us expanding our presence in New Hampshire with a 15,000-square-foot addition to our facility in September 2019, and a growth in our workforce from roughly 70 to 200. Today, we are a key supplier to all branches of the US military.

We offer three basic approaches to the market – via US-designed and developed products, or by offering Safran Electronics & Defense or Safran Vectronix AG⁽¹⁾ products with local program and contractual support, or via a ‘hybrid approach’, where we modify the Safran Electronics & Defense or Safran Vectronix product to US requirements.

J. B.: A prime example is our Laser Target Locator Module (LTLM II) for the US Army – a lightweight, handheld system to help soldiers identify targets day and night, in all battlefield and climate conditions.

The process begins in France with Safran Electronics & Defense camera cores and SOM (System on Module) boards, which are then shipped to Safran Vectronix AG in Switzerland for initial assembly, and then to us (Safran Optics 1) in New Hampshire for final assembly to US Army specifications.

This has been a great Three-Companies-One-Team success story where we’ve now delivered over 5,000 LTLMs to the US Army, which has shown their trust by extending the original 2016 five-year contract into a twelve-plus year program. In turn, the LTLM has served as a launch pad to grow our workforce, engineering and production capabilities.

J. B.: It’s our culture. We value and recognize our employees for their dedication and contributions. And they recognize the critical missions we’re supporting with our highest quality, highest technology products.

Plus, as a company, we remember to give back to our community by supporting military veterans and their families, and science education initiatives.

⁽¹⁾ Safran Vectronix AG is a global leader in the state-of-the-art optronic equipment, systems and sensors for military and civil applications.