Hamburg, February 22, 2013

During an official visit to Germany, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault visited the R&D Center of Morpho (Safran) in Hamburg dedicated to advanced X-ray diffraction (XRD) explosives detection in passenger baggage.

Accompanied by Safran Chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Herteman and Morpho Chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Jainsky, the Prime Minister viewed a demonstration of XDi™, Morpho's breakthrough airport checkpoint solution which allows passengers to take liquids through checkpoints and have them screened without divestiture. Based on advanced XRD technology, XDiwill give global regulators, airport operators and security directors the ability to lift current liquids restrictions, while bringing new levels of security and throughput to the checkpoint screening process. In support of XDi, Morpho is partnering with French research laboratory CEA-LETIto develop this unique system's X-ray diffraction sensors.

"We are proud to host Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at our Hamburg R&D center," said Jean-Paul Herteman. "The XDi system being jointly developed by our German and French teams here will help solve a major security challenge for airports, while improving the passenger experience by reducing long checkpoint lines and liquids restrictions. This facility perfectly illustrates how technological innovation and scientific collaboration in Europe can create value and industrial jobs while facilitating the daily lives of users."

By processing passenger carry-on baggage quicker and with fewer false alarms, airlines benefit from XDi's ability to speed passengers through checkpoints and to their departure gates. Morpho's XDiwill be available for commercial demonstrations in 2014, with deployment anticipated in 2015, to meet future International Security Regulations for Air Transport.

To maintain its technological leadership, Safran places innovation at the heart of its strategy, investing more than 1.6 billion euros in R&D.

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Morphoa high-technology company of Safran, is one of the world's leading suppliers of biometric identification, detection and e-document solutions. Morpho is specialized in personal rights and flow management applications, in particular based on biometrics, a sector in which it is the world leader, as well as secure terminals and smart cards. Morpho's integrated systems and equipment are deployed worldwide and contribute to the safety and security of transportation, data, people and countries.
For more information : www.morpho.com; follow @MORPHO_NEWSon Twitter

Safranis a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 62,500 employees and generated sales of 13.6 billion euros in 2012. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group invests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 1.6 billion Euros in 2012. Safran is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index.
For more information : www.safran-group.com; follow @SAFRANon Twitter

SAFRAN CONTACT

Morpho (Safran)
Communications Department
11 boulevard Gallieni
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux
France
www.morpho.com

Press contact :
Christelle Kinkead
Tél. : +33 (0)1 58 11 87 44
christelle.kinkead@morpho.com




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