Exens was born from the combination of French companies recognised for their technological expertise in electronics, microwave technologies, detection and communications.

The union of complementary expertise

Different histories,
One technological ambition

The history of Exens is the story of the progressive combination of French high-technology companies, some of which have several decades of experience in electronics, microwave technologies, radar systems, detection, communications and time-frequency technologies.

Together, these complementary capabilities allow the Group to develop solutions for observing, communicating, detecting, measuring and anticipating within complex environments.

More than a collection of companies, Exens represents a shared vision: placing technology and expertise at the service of the strategic requirements of its customers.

Exens today

One group,
Multiple generations of expertise

Today, Exens brings together these technological, industrial and human legacies within a common organisation. The Group combines expertise in electronics, microwave technologies, radar, detection, communications and time-frequency systems to develop advanced technologies for complex and critical environments.

This heritage supports Exens’ ability to design, develop and manufacture solutions that help customers observe, communicate, detect, measure and act.

It also provides a strong foundation for future innovation and the continued development of technologies for tomorrow’s most demanding applications.

More than a century of industrial heritage

From pioneering research to critical
electronic systems

Exens brings together its technological, industrial and human legacies within a common organisation.

The story of Exens in detail

The group’s roots go back to 1947

The group’s roots go back to 1947, when the Corbeville site in Essonne became home to Thomson-CSF’s research laboratories, dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies in the fields of microwaves and electronic components.

Over the years, these activities expanded to include new expertise in semiconductors, ferrite components, and microelectronic modules.

In the early 1980s, they were consolidated within the Thomson Microwave Components (Thomson CMI) division.

This business continued to develop under various successive industrial identities: Tekelec, Temex, Chelton Telecom & Microwave, and then Cobham Microwave, while maintaining the same technological and industrial DNA. This history has given rise to the current Exens Solutions, a recognized specialist in radio frequency and microwave components, modules, and subsystems for the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and medical markets.

In parallel, Bowen Systems, whose origins date back to 1921, has developed recognized expertise in electronic communication and detection systems, as well as radar technologies. As it has grown, Bowen has enriched its capabilities through the integration of complementary companies such as ETSA, EADS Nucléodes Radiofréquences, ERTE, and PEKLY. In 2018, the acquisition of Jacquelot, an antenna specialist, further enhanced this range of expertise and strengthened its mastery of complex systems. A new milestone was reached with the integration of AR Electronique, a company renowned for its expertise in time-frequency technologies, oscillators, quartz resonators, and ultra-high-precision components for critical defense, aerospace, and space applications.