Electronics Era: SPHEREA is known for its strong heritage in test and simulation systems — how are you driving the company toward its next phase of growth and transformation?
Patrice: At SPHEREA, we are proud of our strong heritage, built over decades of innovation and trust. Today, our transformation is about combining that legacy with ambition — ambition to grow, to expand internationally, and to stay close to our customers wherever they operate.
We are pursuing a dynamic external growth strategy, identifying companies and technologies that complement our expertise and strengthen our global footprint. At the same time, we are developing in a multilocal model — establishing teams and capabilities in key regions so that we can be truly close to our clients’ needs, cultures, and ecosystems.
Our vision is clear: to make SPHEREA a global yet human-sized group, agile and connected, capable of accompanying our customers across the entire lifecycle of their critical systems — from design to in-service support — with innovation and trust at the core.
Electronics Era: SPHEREA plays a critical role in the defense, aerospace, and transportation sectors. How do you see the company’s position evolving within these markets?
Patrice: These markets are evolving rapidly — driven by digitalization, sustainability, and new forms of threat. SPHEREA’s role is to remain at the forefront, helping our customers adapt to these changes. In defense, we are focusing on cyber-resilient test systems and electronic warfare capabilities. In aerospace, we support the transition toward more electric and autonomous aircraft. And in transportation, we help ensure the reliability and safety of complex, connected systems. Our position will increasingly be that of an innovation partner, not just a supplier.
Electronics Era: What is your vision for SPHEREA’s global expansion strategy? Are there specific regions or markets where you see significant growth potential?
Patrice: Spherea is already present in 6 countries on 3 continents in order to be close to its customers. We support our multinational customers globally and treat our local customers as locals with great proximity. We see potential in North American, Europe and Asia and will keep on expanding our footprint in new countries.
Electronics Era: How do partnerships and collaborations contribute to SPHEREA’s innovation and global competitiveness?
Patrice: Partnerships are absolutely central to SPHEREA’s innovation strategy. We believe that progress comes through collaboration — and we’re proud to work with major technology leaders such as NI Emerson, where we’re now a Platinum Partner, and Keysight Technologies, with whom we develop advanced RF and electronic warfare testing solutions that support European sovereignty.
In aerospace, our partnership with Acron Aviation helps bring innovative test equipment for recorders and surveillance systems to market, while our collaboration with OBSAM, a French startup specializing in obsolescence management, reinforces our commitment to long-term support for defense and energy sectors.
These partnerships — with global players as well as agile startups — reflect our way of working: open, collaborative, and always close to our customers’ challenges. That’s what keeps SPHEREA innovative and globally competitive.
Electronics Era: How is SPHEREA integrating digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and data analytics into its test solutions?
Patrice: At SPHEREA, we see digital technologies — especially artificial intelligence — as powerful enablers of smarter, more efficient testing. Our teams are working hard to bring AI directly into our systems, and I’d like to highlight the great work of Thomas Ricou, one of our AI specialist, who is driving this transformation.
We’re currently exploring how generative AI can automatically develop test programs from manufacturer specifications — a breakthrough that could dramatically speed up development and make it easier for our customers to integrate new programs into their test benches.
In short, we’re not just adding digital tools; we’re rethinking how testing can be more adaptive, data-driven, and intelligent — so our customers can focus on performance and innovation, not complexity.
Electronics Era: Test and simulation systems are vital to ensuring mission-critical reliability in defense and aerospace. How does SPHEREA ensure precision and dependability in these demanding environments?
Patrice: Reliability is non-negotiable in our business. Our teams operate under the highest quality standards, and our solutions are engineered to perform in the most demanding environments. We combine rigorous testing protocols, advanced simulation tools, and decades of field experience to guarantee precision and repeatability. But what truly ensures dependability is our people — their deep expertise and commitment to excellence are what make SPHEREA trusted worldwide.
Electronics Era: How do you see the evolving defense landscape — including cyber resilience and electronic warfare — influencing SPHEREA’s offerings?
Patrice: The nature of defense is changing — it’s increasingly digital, connected, and contested. Cyber resilience and electronic warfare are now central to mission success. SPHEREA is adapting by developing test and validation solutions that ensure systems are secure, interoperable, and resilient against complex threats. We’re not only testing hardware — we’re testing the integrity of networks, data, and signals that underpin modern defense systems.
Electronics Era: Sustainability is becoming increasingly essential even in defense and technology sectors. How is SPHEREA addressing environmental responsibility in its operations and products?
Patrice: For SPHEREA, sustainability isn’t a new trend — it’s been part of who we are from the very beginning. The very principle of ground testing was, and still is, to reduce the need for real-world trials — in flight, on the line, or in the field — which naturally means fewer spare parts, less waste, and lower environmental impact.
Our business is, by nature, a virtuous one: by enabling smarter, more reliable test and simulation, we help our customers extend the lifetime of their systems and make better use of existing assets.
We’ve always integrated life extension and maintainability into our offer — not because it’s fashionable, but because it’s the right thing to do. For us, sustainability is not a communication topic; it’s a long-standing commitment embedded in the way we design, build, and support our solutions.
Electronics Era: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities currently facing the global test and measurement industry?
Patrice: The biggest challenge — and opportunity — is the pace of technological change. Systems are becoming more complex, interconnected, and software driven. The test and measurement industry must evolve from validating components to validating complete, integrated systems. That’s a huge challenge, but also a chance to redefine our value. Those who can combine physical testing, simulation, and digital analytics will lead the next generation of innovation — and SPHEREA intends to be among them.
