Fiber-optic gyroscopes and inertial measurement unitsprimary
4 projects
EURISA (their only coordinated project) develops a European IMU for space; PIONEERS and IQLev focus on inertial/rotational sensing; NEWTON-g on MEMS-based gravimetry.
Organization
EXAIL
French SME manufacturing fiber-optic gyroscopes, inertial navigation units, and quantum sensing instruments for space, defense, and geophysics.
Technology SMEspaceFRSME
H2020 projects
14
As coordinator
1
Total EC funding
€7.3M
Unique partners
153
What they do
Their core work
EXAIL (formerly iXblue) is a French SME specializing in high-performance inertial navigation systems, fiber-optic gyroscopes, accelerometers, and quantum sensing technologies. They design and manufacture precision instruments for space, defense, subsea, and geophysics applications — from satellite attitude control units to volcanic monitoring sensors. Their H2020 portfolio shows them consistently bridging fundamental quantum physics research with industrial-grade hardware for navigation, timing, and secure communications.
Core expertise
What they specialise in
Quantum sensing and quantum-enhanced instrumentationprimary
5 projects
PASQuanS (quantum simulation), QIA (quantum internet), IQLev (quantum-enhanced levitation sensing), NEWTON-g (quantum gravimetry), and DAALI (atom-light interfaces) all involve quantum measurement technologies.
Quantum cryptography and secure communicationssecondary
2 projects
OPENQKD builds European QKD testbeds; QIA develops quantum internet infrastructure — both require fiber-optic network expertise EXAIL provides.
Optical fiber networks and precision timingsecondary
2 projects
CLONETS and CLONETS-DS focus on clock synchronization and frequency transfer over optical fiber networks.
Fiber-reinforced polymer structuressecondary
2 projects
FIBRESHIP and FIBREGY apply advanced composite materials to shipbuilding and offshore energy structures, likely drawing on EXAIL's fiber and materials expertise.
Space navigation systemsemerging
1 project
EURISA — their sole coordinated project and largest single grant (EUR 1.55M) — develops a European COTS-based inertial measurement unit for spacecraft navigation.
Evolution & trajectory
How they've shifted over time
Early focus
Quantum research and composite materials
Recent focus
Space inertial navigation and quantum sensing
EXAIL's early H2020 work (2017–2018) was broad: composite shipbuilding (FIBRESHIP), subsurface gravimetry (NEWTON-g), and foundational quantum research (PASQuanS, QIA). From 2019 onward, their focus sharpened dramatically toward precision inertial sensors — gyroscopes, accelerometers, and fiber-optic interferometry — applied to space, planetary science, and quantum-secure communications. The 2021 EURISA coordination marks a clear pivot to space-grade navigation hardware as a strategic priority.
EXAIL is consolidating around space-qualified inertial navigation and quantum sensing hardware, positioning itself as a European sovereign supplier of precision navigation instruments.
Collaboration profile
How they like to work
Role: specialist_contributorReach: European22 countries collaborated
EXAIL operates almost exclusively as a specialist participant (12 of 14 projects), contributing specific hardware or measurement expertise to large research consortia. With 153 unique partners across 22 countries, they are a connector rather than a repeat-partner organization — they bring their technology into diverse teams rather than building a closed circle. Their single coordination (EURISA) suggests they are now ready to lead projects in their core domain of inertial navigation.
EXAIL has built an exceptionally wide network of 153 unique partners across 22 countries, primarily through participation in large-scale quantum technology and research infrastructure projects. Their network spans major European quantum research hubs, space agencies, and university physics departments.
Why partner with them
What sets them apart
EXAIL occupies a rare niche as an SME that manufactures actual quantum-grade sensing hardware — not just research, but products. While most H2020 quantum participants are universities or large research organizations, EXAIL brings industrial manufacturing capability for fiber-optic gyroscopes and inertial units directly into research consortia. For consortium builders, they offer the critical path from lab prototype to deployable instrument, particularly for space and security applications.
Notable projects
Highlights from their portfolio
- EURISATheir only coordinated project and largest grant (EUR 1.55M), developing a European sovereign inertial measurement unit for spacecraft — signals their strategic direction.
- OPENQKDPart of Europe's flagship quantum key distribution testbed, connecting EXAIL's fiber-optic expertise to the quantum-secure communications market.
- PIONEERSApplies fiber-optic rotational sensors to planetary science (seismology, asteroid rotation), demonstrating the versatility of their core inertial sensing technology beyond Earth.
Cross-sector capabilities
security — quantum-safe communications and QKD networksenvironment — geophysical monitoring with precision gravimeters and seismometerstransport — composite materials for marine vesselsdigital — optical fiber timing networks and clock synchronization
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