The ORION Technical Innovation Hub, by Emeline Renne
- In June 2024, Emeline Renne succeeded Jean-Marie Chapelier as coordinator of the ORION Technical Innovation Hub (Organisation for Naval Operational Research and Innovation). Through her missions and the upcoming Mar’inn Ouest event, let’s dive into the operational world, guided by this military engineer from ENSIETA (now ENSTA) in Brest.
credit: Technopôle Brest-Iroise Orion, 5 Years
Five years in 2024 and 'a steady cruising speed,' says Emeline. 'We’re not looking for numbers, but to support projects that will have an operational future in the military field.' After some disruptions due to budget constraints in 2024, ORION is back on track with its action plan, focusing on the organization of Mar’inn Ouest (October 7, 2025, École Navale, Le Poulmic).
The network is also expanding with the arrival of Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique as a new partner, following an agreement signed during the last Sea Tech Week®. PMBA now joins DGA TN, the French Navy, ENSTA, École Navale, and Technopôle Brest-Iroise.
Orion, Innovations
"More agile, faster, more diverse, and on a human scale"—this is how Emeline describes the companies she encounters through ORION.
A self-proclaimed "DGA[1] baby," the engineer is eager to explore approaches beyond the fascinating but large-scale Defense programs.
Emeline’s career has taken her through various fields, from submarine navigation in Eure to missile testing on Île du Levant in Toulon, and drone development at DGA TN[2] Brest (SLAM-F, the future mine countermeasures system). "I didn’t want to stay solely within the Defense sector—I wanted to collaborate with academic and innovation partners as well."
Illustration with Two Key Projects
CALHYB, led by Hytech Imaging. Emeline discovered this project during her time at ORION as a workshop coordinator. “A technical project with a serious team,” she remarks. The CALHYB system combines hyperspectral imaging with laser bathymetric technology.
UAFS (Underwater Acoustic Firing System), developed by RTSYS. “The project was completed in 2024 and is now being pushed by the Navy for scaling up,” says Emeline.
Credit: Technopôle Brest-Iroise Submit Your Project: The Process
The first step to joining the ORION program is to complete an initial project presentation form. This will be reviewed collectively by the partners, including an expert from DGA TN, based on the following criteria: innovation, relevance to a need of the French Navy, and dual-use innovation.
“We aim to sustain momentum with ORION’s six local ecosystem partners. Technopôle Brest-Iroise provides insight into the company’s health and development.”
After review, the project lead may be invited to pitch (10 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A) before the Steering Committee. “Some adjustments may be requested before the official submission.” If the project is approved, it will be supported by a technical expert and funded by the Defense Innovation Agency (AID).
Contact: dga-tn.orion.fct@intradef.gouv.fr
Mar’inn Ouest (October 7, 2025, École Navale, France)
Theme: Innovating to better understand and master the oceans.
Underlying focus: Defense technologies and dual-use innovations.This event, coordinated by DGA TN, will feature panel discussions, pitches, exhibitions, and demonstrations. “The entire local ecosystem is involved, with each partner responsible for part of the organization.”
Technopôle Brest-Iroise will launch a Call for Expressions of Interest for startups eager to showcase their expertise to defense stakeholders.
[1] DGA : Direction générale de l’armement
[2] DGA TN : DGA Techniques navales
- Published on 02/17/2025
