SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE

Their core work

Safran Electronics & Defense is a major French aerospace and defense company specializing in navigation systems, optronics, avionics, and electronics for space and aviation. Within H2020, they contribute deep expertise in power electronics for electric propulsion systems, advanced electronic packaging for space applications, and air traffic management solutions for unmanned aircraft integration. As part of the Safran Group, they bring industrial-scale manufacturing capability and flight-qualified electronics to research consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2014–2017, Safran Electronics & Defense focused heavily on nuclear electric propulsion and high-power systems for space, contributing to demonstrator projects like DEMOCRITOS. From 2019 onward, their work shifted toward unmanned aircraft integration into controlled airspace (RPAS detect-and-avoid, IFR operations) and miniaturized electronic packaging (System-in-Package for space). This reflects a move from raw power systems toward smarter, more integrated electronics and autonomous aviation solutions.

Safran E&D is moving toward compact, intelligent electronic systems — expect future work in autonomous aviation, miniaturized space electronics, and drone airspace integration.

How they like to work

Safran E&D most often participates as a third party (5 of 9 projects), typically brought in by prime contractors who need their specialized electronics and defense expertise. They coordinate selectively — only on projects closely aligned with their core space electronics competence (GaNOMIC, COMAP-4S). With 149 unique partners across 28 countries, they operate as a sought-after specialist that large consortia pull in rather than a frequent consortium builder.

Extensive European network spanning 149 unique partners across 28 countries, driven largely by participation in major SESAR and Clean Sky 2 joint undertakings that involve broad, multi-national consortia. Their reach reflects the pan-European nature of aerospace and defense supply chains rather than bilateral relationships.

What sets them apart

Safran E&D bridges the gap between space-grade electronics design and industrial-scale production — a rare combination in EU research consortia where most partners are either research labs or system integrators. Their dual presence in both space propulsion power systems and air traffic management for drones makes them uniquely positioned for projects requiring flight-qualified electronics with regulatory awareness. For consortium builders, they offer a direct path from prototype to certified, manufacturable hardware.

Highlights from their portfolio

• COMAP-4S
  Their largest-funded project (EUR 1.7M) and a coordinator role, focused on next-generation System-in-Package technology for space — signals a strategic investment in miniaturized space electronics.
• GaNOMIC
  Coordinated project developing GaN-based integrated power converters for electric propulsion, representing their leadership in space power electronics.
• PJ13 - W2 ERICA
  Addresses the regulatory and technical challenge of inserting drones into controlled airspace — a high-growth domain where defense expertise meets civil aviation.