Sofradir

Sofradir was a French company recognized globally for its development and production of high-performance cooled infrared (IR) detectors. Established as a key supplier to defense, aerospace, and scientific sectors, Sofradir specialized in mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) and indium antimonide (InSb) technologies, supporting applications such as thermal imaging, missile guidance, and satellite observation. Its advanced cooled IR sensors were widely adopted in demanding environments where precision and reliability are critical.

In 2019, Sofradir merged with ULIS, a fellow French firm known for its expertise in uncooled microbolometer-based thermal sensors. Both companies operated under the ownership of Safran Electronics & Defense and shared a strong industrial and technological foundation. The merger was part of a strategic move to consolidate France’s infrared capabilities, optimize R&D resources, and offer a more comprehensive product portfolio.

The newly formed entity was named Lynred, signifying a unified brand with the ability to provide one of the world’s most complete ranges of infrared detectors—spanning both cooled and uncooled technologies. Lynred serves global markets in defense, aerospace, industrial monitoring, automotive, and emerging smart applications.

The merger between Sofradir and ULIS brought together complementary strengths: Sofradir’s leadership in cooled, high-performance IR systems and ULIS’s agility and innovation in scalable, uncooled sensors. This combination enabled Lynred to address a broader range of customer needs while maintaining its position as a European leader in infrared sensing technologies.

Keywords: Sofradir, ULIS, Lynred, infrared detectors, cooled IR sensors, thermal imaging, IR technology, Safran, MCT detectors, InSb detectors, defense optics, aerospace sensors, infrared merger