Héli-Union has chosen the new-generation Euroflir410 optronic (electro-optical) observation system from Safran Electronics & Defense, following a hard-fought international bidding process.
This selection follows the contract awarded by the French armed forces aircraft maintenance department (DMAé) at the end of last year to the partnership of Héli-Union* and DCI**, covering a dozen Dauphin N3 helicopters. These aircraft, modified to meet the operational needs of the French navy, will replace currently used Alouette III.
The new-generation Euroflir 410 provides unrivaled observation capabilities under any conditions of visibility, in particular due to its very-long-range telescope and high-performance line-of-sight stabilization. Capable of identifying a boat’s registration number or detecting a shipwreck victim at several kilometers, the new-generation Euroflir410 will boost the operational capabilities of fleet air forces.
For example, they will be able to carry out search & rescue (SAR) missions at sea or monitor specific zones of interest even under the harshest conditions. These new systems offer advanced features such as automatic target tracking and a search for shipwreck victims by sweeping zones, thus considerably reducing the operator’s workload.
Building on this and other recent business wins, Safran confirms its European technological leadership in the highly demanding optronics sector. Safran’s Euroflir optronic systems are designed and built in France. The first Dauphin N3 fitted with a new-generation Euroflir410 will be delivered in the summer of 2021.
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aircraft propulsion and equipment, space and defense markets. Safran has a global presence, with more than 95,000 employees and sales of 24,6 billion euros in 2019. Safran Electronics & Defense is a world leader in optronics, avionics, electronics and critical software for civil and defense applications. The company’s products are deployed worldwide on more than 1,000 ships, 25,000 armored vehicles and 10,000 aircraft.
