Sofradir and Onera announce five-year IR-detector research partnership

Chatenay-Malabry and Palaiseau, France--Sofradir, a maker of infrared (IR) detectors for military, space, and industrial applications, and Onera, an aerospace and defense research center, have formed a five-year partnership to develop so-called "disruptive" IR technologies, aiming to provide original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with more highly advanced capabilities in thermal imaging. The project will also aim to boost the performance of optronics systems, where IR detection is key. In addition, the project aims to accelerate the transfer of Onera’s research to Sofradir.

IR detectors are at the center of multiple military, space, commercial, and scientific applications, such as thermal imagers, missile seekers, surveillance systems, targeting systems, and observation satellites. The performance and price of IR detectors are critical to the competitiveness of optronics systems.

“Sofradir and Onera are collaborating once again to break down the technological barriers in infrared by exploring new possibilities in optical integration and other techniques,” said Philippe Bensussan, chairman and CEO of Sofradir.

The project involves transferring emerging technologies and knowhow from Onera, making them ready for industrial processing; the team will research and develop new techniques for IR detectors such as integrated optics, greater compactness, improved functionality, and better performance of thermal-imaging equipment. Sofradir and Onera have previously collaborated on other research projects involving IR detection. This Partner Research Innovation (PRI) agreement, a new type of French public-private contract enabling the transfer of technology and knowhow from Onera to industry, is the first the two organizations have signed together.