This year at the event Sofradir unveiled its extended Daphnis MW portfolio featuring the HD version. It is the world’s first HD format midwave IR detector based on the new 10-micron pixel pitch industry standard, which replaces 15-micron pixel pitch generation models. With 1280 x 720 pixels packaged to fit previous platform generations, Daphnis-HD MW enables imaging equipment used in airborne, naval and ground vehicles to achieve longer range, wider field of view and better resolution than previously available. This significantly improves target detection, recognition and identification ranges.

“We are especially pleased to be celebrating 30 years’ growth in the infrared market at SPIE DCS. This is an annual event where we show the strength of our innovations to customers and demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation to the photonics community,” said Philippe Bensussan, chairman and CEO of Sofradir. “We congratulate Ulis on achieving delivery of its 500,000th product and look ahead to marking the millionth unit in a few years from now. Most of all, we acknowledge the trust, loyalty and support that our customers have given us over the decades. It is in their honour that we raise our glasses.”

Sofradir’s IR detectors are at the centre of multiple military and space programmes and applications: thermal imagers, missile seekers, surveillance systems and targeting systems. Its IR detectors have played a key role in spaceborne earth observation, meteorology and environment monitoring. 

Sofradir was formed in 1986 through a DGA (the French Defense Procurement Agency) initiative to transfer advanced research in infrared technology developed at the Leti, the leading microelectronics laboratory run by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), into highly specialised industrial components. Sofradir is a subsidiary of Safran and Thales, which are equal (50/50) shareholders.

Since its founding, Sofradir has experienced double-digit growth at a higher rate than the overall market. The Sofradir Group reported an annual turnover of $244M (€214M) in 2015 and manufactures an average of 7,000 IR detectors per year.