Automation: the critical link in the defense chain
Automation: the critical link in the defense chain
In land-based, naval, or embedded defense systems, automation is a critical functional element of the overall system. It plays a role in command and control, supervision, operational safety, and operational sustainment (MCO).
Any failure of an automation system can lead to prolonged downtime, degradation of operational capability, or even major risks to personnel and equipment. Unlike conventional industrial environments, defense systems impose extreme constraints:
Continuous operation, 24/7
Availability targets equal to or greater than 99.99%
Service life often exceeding 30 years
Robustness must therefore be built in from the design phase, rather than added after the fact.
Robustness: a non-negotiable prerequisite
Designing an automation system for defense is not something improvised. It requires a comprehensive approach, integrating from the design phase fault tolerance, hardware resilience, and the methodological rigor inherent to the defense culture.
At LEROY Automation, our flagship solutions such as the LT200 Straton modular controller and the BRIO SIL2 I/O system demonstrate that robustness is a founding principle. Every architecture is designed to anticipate failures, minimize their impact, and ensure service continuity.
These architectures are sized based on functional criticality analyses (FMEA, availability analyses) to achieve the required performance levels while controlling integration constraints.
Hardened hardware for harsh environments
The robustness of an automation system also depends on the choice of its architecture, design, and electronic and software components. In defense environments, standard equipment quickly reaches its limits. Vibrations, shocks, wide temperature ranges, and electromagnetic disturbances require equipment specifically designed for long-term resilience.
Component selection also takes industrial longevity into account, ensuring parts availability, obsolescence management, and long-term maintenance.
LEROY Automation designs and develops hardened hardware, qualified for harsh environments: reinforced industrial controllers (LT200 STRATON), adapted I/O modules (BRIO SIL2), robust communication solutions, and secure power supplies. This approach guarantees not only immediate reliability but also the long-term sustainability of the system over life cycles often exceeding 20 to 30 years.
Validation and Qualification: a Key Step
In defense, confidence in a system is not declared—it is proven. Every automation system must be validated, tested, and qualified well before it enters operational service.
LEROY Automation has dedicated test benches that enable comprehensive functional and environmental validation campaigns. These tests replicate real operating conditions: thermal stress, mechanical stress, EMC, load tests, and failure scenarios. The goal is simple: to ensure the system performs exactly as expected, even in the most critical situations.
A Defense Culture: Anticipation and Rigor
Beyond technology, the success of a defense project relies on methodology. Documented procedures, traceability, internal audits, and rigorous configuration management—every step is carefully controlled.
LEROY Automation supports its clients with a methodology aligned with defense standards, including technical reviews and strict quality processes. This rigor reduces project risks, secures deadlines, and ensures a level of reliability that meets operational requirements.
A Partner for Your Critical Missions
In a world where system availability and security are strategic, automation must be designed as a critical link in the operational chain.
LEROY Automation designs your defense automation systems to withstand all environments and meet critical mission requirements. With our robust architectures, hardened hardware, and rigorous methodologies, your systems remain operational under all circumstances.
Because in defense, reliability is never optional.
Do you have a critical system project?
Contact our defense experts to discuss your needs for robust architectures and hardened hardware.