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Sara García Alonso: “the world cannot afford to lose 50% of talent”

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The ‘WomIn‘ forum manages to bring together, in its first edition, great references in engineering to promote the role of women in the sector. It was held today at the facilities of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, with the attendance of more than half a thousand students – schoolgirls and university students. Sara García Alonso, the first Spanish woman Reserve Astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA), recommends future engineers to have courage to innovate and infinite curiosity.

Sara García Alonso, the first Spanish woman Reserve Astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA), recommends future engineers to have courage to innovate and infinite curiosity. The molecular biologist has participated in ‘WomIn’, the meeting to awaken STEM vocations that is held at the UPCT, and which has the attendance of more than half a thousand students. Before this large group of students, Sara García, has remembered her early years of studies, “my vocation began in a playful way, my parents encouraged me to investigate, to see things through a microscope and to ask myself many questions. We have to apply technology to almost all sectors, so that society improves, so I ask you not to limit your curiosity”. 

She concluded that Science is passion and that she has been selected among 23,000 candidates, through a process of 18 months, “with exams of all kinds, astronauts are dedicated to research from space, so it is always too early to give up, dare to pursue your dreams”. She also explained how most of the technology has been developed by men and for men, a trend that is slowly changing, because “the world cannot afford to lose 50% of talent”.  

The meeting has had the testimonies of Beatriz Miguel, first rector of a polytechnic university in Spain; Anabel Díaz, general manager of Uber for Europe, Middle East and Africa; Consuelo Lázaro, director of Operations SAES; Noelia Ortega, director of the Naval and Sea Technology Centre and Cristina Abad, director of Navantia Systems, have made Cartagena today the epicentre of engineering in our country.

They and the more than half a thousand students, who have attended “WomIn, the Women’s Forum in Engineering 2024”, have made the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) vibrate. 

This innovative day started today in the Isaac Peral Room of the CIM Building with a full house and eyes set on the stars. It could not be otherwise since it brought together two unstoppable forces: that of vocation and that of experience.  

At the meeting, Anabel Díaz Calderón, CEO UBER explained that “engineers design the products of the future and women must participate and contribute to the solutions and sustainability of tomorrow”. 

For her part, Consuelo Lázaro, Chief Operating Officer at SAES, appealed to social responsibility stating that “there is no need to wait for us to be dictated rules to demand equality, in society and the workplace”.   

Throughout the morning, the masterful interventions of these women engineers who are a reference at national and international level, have sought a triple common objective: to value the role of women in engineering, promoting the access of young women to STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), to make visible the importance of female talent in industry and social development and to awaken professional vocations among the youngest students. 

For her part, Cristina Abad, director of Navantia Systems, highlighted that “we have to make engineering attractive for young women” and Noelia Ortega, from the Naval and Sea Technology Centre, explained that “being a woman is a value that contributes a lot to society, also in engineering”.

Along with them, we have three other women who well represent professionalism and female talent in the Region, Noelia Arroyo, mayor of Cartagena; Azucena Marín, CEO of Comunicología, and Eva Franco, director of Communication, Sustainability and Social Action at Hidrogea, moderator of one of the experience tables. 

The initiative of the UPCT has had the collaboration of companies such as SAES, which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary, and Hidrogea, as well as the Naval and Sea Technology Centre. 

Spain’s first female astronaut lands in Cartagena to inspire professional vocations

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Sara García Alonso participates on Monday 8th April in Cartagena, alongside other leading national engineers, in ‘WomIn, the Women’s Forum in Engineering 2024′.

The first edition could not start with more strength. “WomIn, the Women’s Forum in Engineering 2024″, which will be held in Cartagena on April 8 with the firm purpose of inspiring professional vocations among the youngest students, will feature engineers of recognised prestige at national and international level.

Within the framework of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT), the meeting is born with the aim of valuing the role of women in engineering, promoting the access of young women to STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and highlighting the importance of female talent in industry and social development. 

Alongside Sara García Alonso, the first Spanish female Reserve Astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA), the students will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of female role models such as Beatriz Miguel, the first female rector of a polytechnic university in Spain, the one in Cartagena; Anabel Díaz, General Manager of Uber for Europe, Middle East and Africa; Consuelo Lázaro, SAES Director of Operations; Noelia Ortega, Director of the Naval and Sea Technology Centre; and Cristina Abad, Director of Navantia Systems.

The event, which will take place in the Isaac Peral Room of the CIM building from 10 am with the sea as a backdrop, will allow free entry for school and university students until full capacity is reached.

This is an initiative of the UPCT in collaboration with the companies SAES, which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary, and Hidrogea, as well as the Naval and Sea Technology Centre.

The event will be hosted by journalist Azucena Marín and will feature Eva Franco, Director of Communication, Sustainability and Social Action at Hidrogea, to moderate one of the round tables. In addition, the audience will be able to ask questions and interact with each of the participants.  

Great role models for the younger generations 

It was in 1929 when a woman received the title of industrial engineer for the first time in Spain. Today, 58 percent of people graduating from Spanish universities are women. But only 29 percent of young people enrolled in engineering degrees are women.

“WomIn, the Women’s Forum in Engineering 2024”, which is born with the vocation to become a national benchmark, aspires to increase these figures in the future to match those of other university disciplines.

It will do so with the help of Sara García, Beatriz Miguel, Anabel Díaz, Consuelo Lázaro, Noelia Ortega, Cristina Abad, as well as Eva Franco and Azucena Marín. Women, all of them, who have broken into predominantly male sectors becoming, without a doubt, great examples to be followed by the younger generations.

SAES begins the celebration of its 35th anniversary with the exhibition ‘Women in Engineering’

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The public company SAES, SME commemorates its 35th anniversary this year with a series of events that aim to highlight the strategic contribution of the company over more than three decades. The first of these events has been held in commemoration of The International Women’s Day (8th March), with an exhibition in the Heroes of Cavite square in Cartagena. SAES shows its commitment to gender equality and recognises the achievements of illustrious women in the world of engineering who contribute to inspire future scientific vocations.   

The exhibition can be visited at the port this weekend and will then move to the facilities of the UPCT until the month of April. 

SAES has today kicked off the celebrations for its 35th anniversary with the exhibition “Women in Engineering”. The event took place today at 12:30 pm in the Heroes of Cavite square, in Cartagena (Spain). The exhibition, which showcases the legacy of ten women who have marked the history of engineering, was presented by the President and CEO of SAES, Joaquín López Pagán. “It is a pride for us to commemorate our anniversary by highlighting the fundamental role of women in engineering. We want to motivate future generations and help increase female presence in this sector,” said López Pagán during the presentation.

The event was attended by several authorities, including Mariola Guevara, Government Delegate of Spain in the Region of Murcia, and Rosa Badillo Amador, Secretary General of the UPCT, as well as members of the SAES Management Committee, like Sara García Ruiz (Telecommunications Engineer), Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation, and Esther Corbalán (Mathematician) Head of People Development.

Other authorities present: Caridad Rives Arcayna, national deputy and deputy spokesperson of the Socialist Group in the Defense Committee of Congress; Carmina Fernández, regional deputy of the Socialist Group; Pedro Contreras Fernández, councilor and spokesperson for the PSOE Cartagena; Isabel María Andreu, councilor of the Cartagena City Council; and Manuel Torres, general secretary and spokesperson for the PSOE Cartagena.

The exhibition “Women in Engineering” is a further demonstration of SAES’s commitment to gender equality, the promotion of scientific vocation and innovation, and marks the beginning of a year of celebrations for the company’s 35th anniversary.

SAES continues to work on high-level technological development and solutions in more than 20 countries and participates in major strategic projects for national defence led by Navantia, such as the S80 class submarines and the F110 frigates.

SAES successfully hosts a real-time connection initiative with Antarctica for children from the TALENTOS association

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The TALENTOS association, which brings together parents with children diagnosed with high intellectual abilities, has joined the 37th Antarctic Campaign on Deception Island along with several educational centres and participated in a video call with the scientific base at the SAES facilities. This collaboration is a unique opportunity to foster scientific vocation among the youngest and bring them closer to the research carried out in one of the most remote places on the planet.

Today, Monday 4th of March, SAES has hosted a real-time connection initiative with Antarctica for a group of 30 children from the ‘TALENTOS High Intellectual Abilities Region of Murcia‘ association: a collective of parents with children diagnosed with high intellectual abilities. The video conference connection with the civilian and military personnel stationed at the Spanish Antarctic Base “Gabriel de Castilla” has allowed the children to learn first-hand about the scientific activity taking place in the XXXVII Antarctic Campaign on Deception Island.

During the connection, which began at 10 o’clock sharp in the morning and lasted approximately two hours, the children were able to ask questions to the scientists and learn more about their daily life and their activity in Antarctica.

The scientists told the children present, from various educational centres and associations, among other things, about the long journey with the Hespérides ship [built for multidisciplinary scientific research in any sea or ocean, including Arctic and Antarctic Areas] or how they prepare for a year before starting the mission (in the months of the Antarctic summer). In addition, the base personnel talked about their daily life, the importance of waste management to leave no trace of their passage, and interesting details of small daily missions or even the lack of trees and plants there. In this task, they have the logistical support of the Army, which also protects and preserves the area. Among the local fauna, they highlighted the sea lions, the crab seal, Weddell seal, the elephant seal and a wide variety of birds. Although, according to their words, “the chinstrap penguins are the kings of Deception Island.”

The scientists of this year’s campaign arrived at the base on December 31, 2023, and return in March: the arrival of the Hespérides ship in Cartagena (Spain) is expected for the month of April.

The possibility of sponsoring a penguin from Deception Island was also mentioned, an initiative of the Spanish Ministry of Defence that seeks to promote environmental care.  

For Esther Corbalán, Head of People Development at SAES, “this event has been a unique opportunity to foster scientific vocation among the youngest and bring them closer to the research carried out in one of the most remote places on the planet”. In addition, this initiative “is aligned with the promotion of STEM vocations (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in children from an early age in which SAES has been committed for years”

In addition to the children from the TALENTOS association, a dozen Primary and Secondary students whose parents are part of the SAES staff, a company specialised in underwater technology that innovates for a safer world, have joined this activity.

Consuelo Lázaro speaks on SAES’s capabilities in underwater technologies and their application in the S-80

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The design and construction of the S-81 submarine has been a historic technological milestone for Spain. Our Chief Operating Officer, Consuelo Lázaro, was interviewed on this topic a few days ago on the Cadena SER radio station.

Consuelo Lázaro, directora de Operaciones en SAES

Consuelo Lázaro highlighted the technological maturity that SAES has achieved thanks to projects like the S-81 submarine, because with this participation “we have deepened our base knowledge and developed our capabilities in hydroacoustics and underwater multi-influence”. She also emphasised the importance of obsolescence management in projects as long as this one, as well as the life cycle support #LCS plans that include technology updates throughout its useful life.

 

You can listen to the complete interview here (audio in Spanish):

Vocational Day with students from Maristas School in Cartagena

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On November 23rd, a group of first-year high school students from the Maristas educational centre visited the SAES facilities in Cartagena and La Palma as part of the ’24 hours with you’ programme. The aim of this vocational day, organised by the school, is to give students the opportunity to firsthand experience the professional experiences and career paths that can be achieved by studying degrees such as Engineering or Mathematics.

During the visit to the Cartagena head office, the students were welcomed by César Solano, General Manager and former student of the Maristas school, who welcomed them and shared his professional experience in the field of engineering. For her part, Esther Corbalán, Head of People Development, presented the activities developed at SAES and highlighted the study of different activities and the benefits of performing different roles in the professional field.

At the La Palma facilities, the students were accompanied by José Ramón Martínez, Production Area Manager, and Manuel Castilla, Manufacturing Manager in the Production Area. Both showed the students the different areas of the manufacturing process and shared their knowledge and experiences in the field of engineering.

During the day, the students had the opportunity to interact with colleagues from SAES, who shared their experiences and knowledge, providing advice and resolving doubts about the professional future.

For Esther Corbalán, “SAES’s participation in activities of this type is fundamental as we contribute to our environment, and at the same time it allows us to foster vocations in STEM degrees”.

SAES will equip the S-80 class submarines with the latest generation smart mines

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The public company will provide state-of-the-art multi-influence mines that will allow the detection of underwater threats and address different scenarios based on the signals received. 

SAES has been awarded this important contract from the Ministry of Defence, which represents another technological leap in this type of weaponry that will be incorporated into the S-80 class submarines and will be developed over five years with an amount of more than 15 million euros. 

The Council of Ministers on July 4th authorised the framework agreement for the acquisition of last generation smart mines for the S-80 class submarines that Navantia is building for the Spanish Navy, the first delivery of which was on Thursday, November 30th. This framework agreement is a five-year operation with an estimated value of 15.5 million euros. The aim is to incorporate new mines with the latest technological advances. 

SAES’s naval mines are the most advanced intelligent naval mines currently in production. They are manufactured in three different models, depending on the different depths and characteristics of the waters: moored mines, low-profile mines, and those that will go on the S-80, the cylindrical bottom mines. Their sensors allow the measurement of magnetic, electric, acoustic, pressure, and seismic influences. However, the true intelligence of the mine lies in the processing of these influences, making it a more effective and safer naval mine in the detection of possible underwater threats. 

This is the second mine contract for the S-80s signed by the Ministry of Defence and SAES, following the one formalised at the end of 2022 for the supply of multi-influence bottom mines in their training version (known as dummy), for an amount of 650,000 euros and a duration of two years. They are used for training tasks in the mining area and are prepared for launch from the torpedo tubes of the submarines, an activity that has been successfully carried out as part of the S81 acceptance test schedule. 

As stated by the General Manager of SAES, Cesar Solano, “the signing of this contract with the Ministry of Defence represents another technological leap in this type of weaponry that will be incorporated into the S-80 class submarines, demonstrating that we continue to be at the forefront in the development of intelligent naval mines, competing internationally and once again putting our capabilities in hydroacoustic and multi-influence at the service of the Spanish Navy.” 

Other contributions from SAES to the S-80. 

SAES is the only Spanish company with sonar (design and production) and underwater acoustics capabilities. The company’s extensive collaboration in the S-80 class submarine programme is backed by its technological capacity, proprietary developments, high specialisation in acoustics, and solid experience in large naval programmes at a national and international level.

In addition to the bottom mines, SAES contributes to the S-80 programme the acoustic classification system, the sonar performance prediction system, the noise monitoring system, and the target motion analysis system. It has also developed the towed sonar, the HMI of all sonars, the stimulation of sonars, and the simulation of the acoustic environment for the Tactical Simulator.

Furthermore, it is in charge of the fine-tuning of the towed sonar, and provides various engineering works for the tactical system, the acoustic system, and the development of the submarine’s tests. Finally, SAES’s participation is also essential in supporting the life cycle and maintenance of the submarine throughout its useful life.

In summary, SAES develops technology so that the S-80 class submarines can listen under the sea and interpret what they hear, identifying and classifying what is happening around them.

SAES showcases its capabilities and new corporate image at DSEI London, the world’s largest defence and security exhibition

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SAES, a company specialising in underwater technology and protection, has recently revamped its corporate image and brand narrative to showcase its dual-use (for defence and civil sectors) capabilities and technology. This renewal is part of the company’s modernisation process that began last year, and is encapsulated in the slogan ‘innovate, develop and protect’.

At the 2023 edition of DSEI, an international security and defence equipment exhibition held in London from 12th to 15th September, 2,800 companies participated and around 35,000 visitors attended. DSEI 2023 brought together the industry, armed forces and governments from over 70 countries.

SAES, a specialist in underwater technology and protection, presented at DSEI its high-tech capabilities and systems for the civil and military markets, showcasing a submerged unit of the multi-frequency signature measurement portable system (MIRS). In addition, SAES develops defence and security solutions on board all types of platforms: submarines, surface ships and anti-submarine aircraft and helicopter.

SAES has recently revamped its brand narrative based on its dual-use (for defence and civil sectors) capabilities and technology in signal processing through sonars, acoustic intelligence systems, signature measurement and intelligence, security systems and surveillance of critical infrastructures such as ports, thermal power plants, refineries, offshore wind farms, etc.

At DSEI 2023, Ignacio Gutiérrez, Business Development Director, along with Julián Valdez, Business Strategy Manager, and Alejandro Rejas, Lifecycle Support and Loyalty Manager, held fruitful meetings on behalf of SAES with their partners and clients, from which interesting points of collaboration have been obtained to continue working on.

SAES is dedicated to sustainable innovation in underwater technology

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Within its commitment to sustainable technology, SAES is establishing strategic alliances and has recently presented its renewed brand narrative. Through its initiative to protect marine environments and the development of unmanned underwater vehicles for both the civilian and defence sectors, SAES is reinforcing its leadership in underwater technology for a more secure and sustainable world.

SAES (Underwater Acoustics and Electronics Systems) presented its new corporate image at the latest International Defence and Security Exhibition (Feindef), held in Madrid from 17th to 19th May with enormous participation at national as well as international level. The company reinforces its leadership as a firm specialising in underwater technology and protection, in both the defence and security sector as well as the environmental one. In the words of its CEO, Joaquín López Pagán, it represents “a turning point after 34 years working as a public company that has encouraged us to continue contributing with the utmost commitment to the defence and security technology industry of our country”.

SAES has renewed its brand narrative in order to show its dual-use capabilities and technology (for the defence and civilian sectors) in signature processing by means of sonar, acoustic intelligence systems, measuring and intelligence of signatures, security and surveillance systems for critical infrastructures such as harbours, thermal electric power stations, refineries, offshore wind farms, etc.

Collaboration agreements

In its initiative to establish strategic alliances, SAES has recently signed collaboration agreements with other companies, amongst which special mention should be made of those reached with the Marine Technology Centre (CTN) and with SH Defence.

The agreement signed between SAES and the Marine Technology Centre (CTN) brings together the efforts of both organisations in working towards sustainable technological innovation in the naval sector and in maritime environmental protection. Both companies will work together in tackling issues of acoustic contamination in maritime environments, in developing technologies for sustainable digital transformation of the naval sector, and to face the challenges of the maritime industry, while always considering the protection of seas and oceans.

In this sense, SAES will contribute its technological capacity, its knowledge and talent to delve into its sustainability strategy, focusing on protecting maritime environments and cooperating in the development of products that reduce acoustic and electromagnetic contamination in seas and oceans. This collaboration with CTN will enable SAES to broaden its vision of innovating, developing, and protecting, adding value in matters of environmental protection to its business activity.

SAES has also signed a collaboration agreement with SH Defence to work together in integrating SAES mine systems with SH Defence deployment units.

Open innovation

SAES collaborates with universities, technological centres, and other companies in its process of open innovation, driving a virtuous circle of innovation.

The company works on cutting-edge projects such as new-generation unmanned underwater vehicles and collaboration in the fight against acoustic contamination in marine environments.

Feindef 2023 was the setting chosen by Navantia, SAES and Perseo Techworks to present one of the most innovative projects, the development of a line of unmanned underwater vehicles with latest generation sensors. This project seeks to deploy exploration and surveillance capabilities in increasingly demanding settings.

SAES will contribute its experience in sonar technology, underwater communications, and operational concepts to provide tactical and mission capacity to the unmanned vehicles. The collaboration between the three companies will drive innovation in the field of autonomous underwater vehicles, offering more secure and economical solutions for defence missions and civilian applications.

This open innovation is key to attracting and retaining talent, as well as for compliance with the SAES sustainability strategy.

The new corporate image and new brand narrative of SAES, within the framework of the company’s modernisation process which began last year, defend the common task of innovation, developing, and protecting.

SAES means innovation for a more secure world.

Navantia, SAES, and Perseo commit to developing a line of unmanned underwater vehicles

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Navantia, SAES, and Perseo have announced during the FEINDEF (defence and security exhibition) their intention to develop a line of unmanned underwater vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art sensors to deploy exploration and surveillance capabilities in increasingly demanding operational theatres.

Navantia has launched a roadmap to incorporate a range of solutions based on unmanned vehicles (UXV) into its product catalogue, aiming to cover the full spectrum of missions to be executed in different domains: naval, aerial, and land, where these platforms provide tactical superiority. This roadmap is part of the company’s Horizon 5.0, a long-term plan through which Navantia aims to strengthen its systems business as a core activity alongside shipbuilding, intelligent services, and green energies.

In the submarine domain, SAES, a leading company in underwater acoustics and electronics with nearly 35 years of experience in developing technologies in this field, positions itself as one of the main national players to provide tactical and mission capabilities to unmanned vehicles (UXVs) based on its expertise in sonar technology, underwater communications, and operational concepts for various missions. SAES, whose essence and strategy are summarised in its new brand “innovate, develop, and protect”, approaches this field from two perspectives: collaborating in their development to make them truly autonomous and using them in conjunction with other proprietary systems to provide submarine defence solutions within the scope of its business lines.

Perseo Techworks, a Spanish company specialising in UXV, numerical simulation, onboard electronics, rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, IoT, and artificial intelligence, has extensive knowledge and experience in the sector, participating in various European projects and R&D+i at the national level.

SAES and Perseo, together with Abance Ingeniería y Servicios, Arisnova, and Eolos Floating Lidar Solutions, participate in the E-PARK+ project, led by Navantia, which seeks to develop solutions for digitising the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms using unmanned vehicles alongside other industry companies.

At FEINDEF, a UUV prototype with distinctive features that would allow it to cover a multitude of missions has been exhibited. This first approach is focused on its use in mine countermeasure (MCM) missions, although its possible application as an advanced sensor or loitering munition is being studied based on the same development and with few modifications.

Donato Martínez Pérez de Rojas, Director of Technologies and Digital Transformation and Systems and Services at Navantia, Joaquín López Pagán, President and CEO of SAES, and Sergio Olmos Guío, CEO of Perseo Techworks, have expressed their commitment to collaborate in promoting innovation in the field of autonomous underwater vehicles.

“Unmanned vehicles are an asset of growing importance for the armed forces and civilian applications. Navantia already has experience in the development of unmanned surface vessels (USV), and together with SAES and Perseo, we want to expand our catalogue to those intended for the submarine domain,” said Donato Martínez.

According to SAES President Joaquín López Pagán, “at SAES, we are committed to the development of sustainable technologies in the naval sector. Our experience in underwater acoustics and electronics positions us as one of the main players in providing autonomy to unmanned vehicles and collaborating in their development to make them truly autonomous. Moreover, as they do not require human crew members, these vehicles are a safer and more economical option for carrying out defence missions and civilian applications.”

“The development of unmanned systems requires specific technologies and working methodologies for competitive developments. Perseo Techworks works on these enabling technologies within a work scheme that allows for rapid iterations, in which simulation, rapid prototyping, and testing and trial capabilities are intertwined to create products with very short development times and adaptable to a constantly changing market,” says Sergio Olmos Guío.

Navantia, SAES, and Perseo commit to developing a line of unmanned underwater vehicles