Paris, France--A group of European defense integrators and photonics clusters has launched a Business Roundtable for Photonics Sensors for Defense and Security. The mission of this roundtable is to create business relationships between photonics small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are leaders in sensor innovations and technology integrators who are seeking specific capabilities and performance for defense and security systems. The roundtable will accelerate the presence in the market of key competitive technologies in defense and security applications. Interested defense systems manufacturers and photonics clusters are invited to join the initiative.
"SMEs are strong in technology innovation," said Jean-François Coutris, vice-president of Sagem Defense and Security, who contributed to the organization of the initiative. "They are both agile and inventive and can work on developments that larger industries could not afford to invest in. We must facilitate the development of these SMEs that are crucial to our competitive position."
Thomas Pearsall, secretary general of the European Photonics Industry Consortium, (EPIC), also a partner in the organization of the Business Roundtable, added, "The defense majors, like MBDA and Sagem, are strong in technology integration. They have the resources and the know-how for integrating new technology into reliable and performant systems coupled with a good view of market opportunities."
The Business Roundtable is planning meetings four times per year in different locations around Europe. SMEs will be invited to present innovations in sensor technology, and defense integrators will discuss needs for sensing systems. Participants from both sides will be able to discuss details in networking sessions during the meeting. W. Knorr, head of the laser division of the binational French-German research institute of Saint Louis, appreciates the launch of the Photonics Sensors Business Roundtable. "This is an important positive step in accelerating the exploitation of new photonics sensor applications in Europe," he said.
SMEs who would like to participate should contact the photonics cluster in their region. These clusters will decide on the participant's program. Defense and security integrators who wish to participate should contact EPIC directly.
Sixteen photonics clusters:
--Anticipa France
--Cluster Photonique Belgium
--Estonian Photonics Estonia
--EPIC EU
--Heinrich-Hertz Institute Germany
--OpticsValley France
--Optoelectronics Research Center Finland
--OptecBB Germany
--POP Sud France
--Rhenaphotonics Alsace France
--Route des Lasers France
--SECPHO Spain
--Swiss Laser Net Switzerland
--Scottish Optoelectronics Association UK
--Electronics, Sensors, Photonics KTN UK
--Wroclaw Photonics Cluster Poland
and three defense majors:
Indra Spain
MBDA UK
Sagem France
have formed the group of initiating charter members. Participation from other interested members of the community, either clusters or defense systems integrators, is solicited.
Contact:
Martine Keim-Paray
EPIC
17, rue de l'Amiral Hamelin
75016 Paris, France
[email protected]
Website: www.photonics-sensors.eu
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