They equip the special forces, but also the French paratrooper team. They are found in the picked up of the Rafale, but also serve “scouts” when a flashlight is added. HAS Each one “sails” his mission. Near tours, where Electronics & Defense manufactures a large part of its different ranges of military parachute, we sew canvas, we assemble harnesses, we connect strings, fold and cut, before sending the load to the four corners of Europe.
In Safran E&D, which recovered this activity by buying Zodiac in 2018, two types of parachutes are carried out, Fatima Guillaume specifies.
First there are “personal” parachutes: they include both tactical parachutes, which can be maneuvered and that equip among other special forces; The hemispheric parachute, nicknamed the “fungi” due to their shape, which deposit the paratrooper in a given area, and finally, the parachutes that are integrated into the hunting planes and that allow the pilot to land on the ground once expelled from the plane.
The other category of parachutes are those used to drop and brake: equipped with flashlights, illuminate an operation area, but can also be used for soldiers by soldiers in isolated areas … even of the protected vehicles of fall. The braking parachutes are located in the back of the airplanes or drones and are used in an emergency or when the landing floor is very short.
Ready to use in the parachutes
It is a precision work, “to the nearest millimeter”, which Gina has been carrying out rigorously since she joined Safran E&D a few years ago, after a custom -made clothes race and for luxury brands ready to use. Based on a sewing machine, learn a new technique, because each change of position is accompanied by a training period. We do not sew a harness, a candle or a bag.
Maximum security
Charlène also has a race in clothing ready to wear. Today, verify the bags in which the parachutes will be stored. Signs, closures, fabric, nothing escapes your sharp eye.
The guidelines are strict because security prevails. In addition, the instruction was given to stay and not interrupt employees before the end of their task, so as not to disturb their work and the associated technical controls.
A few meters away, we reviewed the fabrics that arrived from South Africa, the other production site of Safran E&D for the great series. In socks and in a carpet section, an operator analyzes extended candles, performs between 200 and 250 verification points, specifies Jérôme, the site control manager. Other verification operations are carried out in light tables, to detect the slightest manufacturing defect.
When Safran develops a new model, the parachutes are tested in real conditions, to verify that the sails are opened correctly, that the performance is there and that the resistance is optimal. First, with plots, then models, before letting the paratroopers of the tests perform dozens of qualification falls. A mission observed by Alexandra, a systems engineer within technical management … and also a member of the French paratrooper team.
A production that increases
Once all the elements sewn, assembled, verified, everything, which weighs several kilos, are packaged, according to a well established process. In very long tables, above which the flags of customer countries float, we are busy gathering parachutes, harness, accessories, fold the candles with safe gestures. This is the last step, before delivery.
The parachutes will be sent to France, but also to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain or even Poland …
Fatima Guillaume declares that production has multiplied by 2.5 in three years. An increase that required additional hiring. To absorb the flow and support the rhythm, Safran has created an internal school, which forms newly hired people. These come from training schools or are in reactions, and have already performed an evaluation test in the sewing before integrating.
Coralie, responsible for this unit, supervises the progress of work with Marie-Joëlle, coach. They ensure that the instructions remain step by step and that sewing techniques are controlled, in a logic of “permanent support”, to guarantee the increase in competition.
This internal school allows Safran E&D to retain its workforce, while anticipating possible future contracts. Safran won a new contract with the General Directorate of Armament at the end of 2024, to provide parachutes of several missions, capable of dropping a tandem up to 9,000 meters above sea level (under oxygen). The group also monitors the Flying What Airship program, which may need saffron skills for the construction of the outdoor envelope. Sewing machines are not about to stop.
Source: BFM TV
