marchés News breaks superjet 100 breakthrough <strong>in</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>America</strong> R ussian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has recorded an order for six Superjet 100 regional jets, plus four options, from Willis Lease F<strong>in</strong>ance Corporation of the United States, mark<strong>in</strong>g a breakthrough <strong>in</strong> the Western Panoramic eye for armored vehicles On the field of battle, be<strong>in</strong>g able to quickly detect enemy forces is an imperative. Nexter Systems has ordered 285 turret-mounted panoramic observation systems from Sagem (<strong>Safran</strong> group), giv<strong>in</strong>g its VBCI armored <strong>in</strong>fantry combat vehicles state-of-the-art technology. The system comprises a stabilized platform with a noncooled thermal imager, giv<strong>in</strong>g vehicle crews 360° observation capability, along with target designation for the gunner. Sagem will also be supply<strong>in</strong>g an equal number of stabilized po<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g units with this order. market and signal<strong>in</strong>g its return to commercial aviation after be<strong>in</strong>g absent for two decades. The contract, worth about $300 million, concerns the Superjet 100-95LR long-range version, with s<strong>in</strong>gle-class seat<strong>in</strong>g for 98 passengers. The Superjet 100 benefits from <strong>Safran</strong>’s wide range of expertise, s<strong>in</strong>ce the Group supplies the eng<strong>in</strong>e (via jo<strong>in</strong>t venture PowerJet, see article on page 27), nacelles and land<strong>in</strong>g gear. The <strong>America</strong>n leas<strong>in</strong>g firm will take delivery of its first aircraft <strong>in</strong> 2012. 825 new orders for CFM56 eng<strong>in</strong>es booked dur<strong>in</strong>g the Farnborough <strong>in</strong>ternational air show. © Eric Drou<strong>in</strong>/safran © Farnborough International airshow wBOAT sPONsORsHIP <strong>Safran</strong> on the podium A fter two weeks at sea, s<strong>in</strong>gle-handed, and with 80 competitors at the start of the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale transatlantic race, Marc Guillemot, the <strong>Safran</strong> skipper, f<strong>in</strong>ished third <strong>in</strong> the Imoca Open 60 class. It was a hard-fought battle for Marc, with especially difficult conditions throughout the race, from Sa<strong>in</strong>t-Malo <strong>in</strong> France to Po<strong>in</strong>te-à-Pitre <strong>in</strong> Guadeloupe. Once aga<strong>in</strong>, Marc and his monohull boat proved their mettle, and dedicated their podium f<strong>in</strong>ish to “everybody at <strong>Safran</strong>”. He added, “The energy I put <strong>in</strong>to this race was fed by everybody who helped prepare our boat and supported me all the way.” Congratulations Marco! w More www.safransixty.com Decision-makers Celeste Thomasson, safran Vice President, Legal affairs Latest-generatIon bIoMetrIcs In MaurItanIa The recently launched project to revamp public records <strong>in</strong> Mauritania calls on a latestgeneration biometrics-based system. To deploy the system, the government chose Morpho, a safran group company, which will handle the issuance of secure identification documents for citizens and residents (ID cards, passports, residence cards and car registration papers), us<strong>in</strong>g the latest version of its multibiometric f<strong>in</strong>gerpr<strong>in</strong>t and facial recognition system. Biometric registration operations kicked off on the highly symbolic date of November 28, 2010, the 50th anniversary of the country’s <strong>in</strong>dependence. “In my job, it’s very important to efficiently manage cultural difference, and also show a certa<strong>in</strong> degree of flexibility.” Recently appo<strong>in</strong>ted head of Legal Affairs for the <strong>Safran</strong> group, California native Celeste Thomasson, 43, knows how to put her words <strong>in</strong>to practice. She’s already familiar with the Group, hav<strong>in</strong>g jo<strong>in</strong>ed subsidiary Messier Services <strong>in</strong> 2002 as head of the legal department, before mov<strong>in</strong>g to Messier-Dowty the follow<strong>in</strong>g year as VP, Legal Affairs. Celeste Thomasson then returned to the United States <strong>in</strong> July 2008 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for <strong>Safran</strong> USA, before return<strong>in</strong>g to Paris a year later to take up this new job. Her varied career gives her a solid understand<strong>in</strong>g of both French and <strong>America</strong>n law, a considerable advantage for a global group such as <strong>Safran</strong>. 06 _ December 2010 _ safran Magaz<strong>in</strong>e safran Magaz<strong>in</strong>e _ December 2010 _ 07 © D.r. © Jean-marie Liot / DPPI