Safran’s SkyNaute navigation system to equip H160M Guépard helicopters for French Armed Forces

Paris, June 14. Airbus Helicopters has selected Safran Electronics & Defense to supply SkyNaute navigation systems to equip future H160M helicopters, developed as part of the HIL* joint light helicopter program. This contract follows the order from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces for 169 “Guépard” helicopters in December 2021. 

SkyNaute is an ultra-compact hybrid inertial navigation system based on a disruptive Safran-patented technology: the HRG** Crystal. This hemispherical resonator gyroscope offers a virtually unlimited service life, robust design for the most severe environments and ultra-high reliability. Thanks to this new architecture, SkyNaute exhibits significantly reduced size and weight characteristics. 

With its combination of high integrity and precision, the SkyNaute navigation system guarantees a high level of performance, even when GNSS*** signals are absent or jammed. It will enable H160M crews to perform their missions in the most challenging theaters of operations. 

Safran Electronics & Defense is a long-standing leader in inertial navigation, with over 70 years of expertise in all underlying technologies. HRG technology has proven its capabilities for demanding civil and military applications in all environments: land, air, sea and space. 

*HIL : Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger. 

**HRG : Hemispherical resonator gyroscope.  

***GNSS : Global navigation satellite system.