FIXED WING CONTACT DRONES
Combat Proven
The SPY'RANGER fixed wing contact drones have proved their worth in combat. As part of the French SMDR (Systèmes de Mini-Drones de Reconnaissance) programme, the French Army's SPY'RANGER 330s have carried out numerous missions alongside French forces since the end of 2020, contributing to the success of military operations and protecting soldiers during the French Barkhane operation in Mali.
With more than 2,000 flights and over 2,000 flying hours in overseas operations, the SPY'RANGER 330 has accumulated unrivalled experience.
After a period of learning and adaptation, the French army has gradually increased the SMDR's objectives, dedicating it to missions involving observation of enemy movements, surveillance of empty zones and routes, detection of enemy fire and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), protection of convoys and disembarked combatants, day/night intelligence, BDA (Battle Damage Assessment) and the provision of coordinates for friendly fire guidance.
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"These mini-UAV systems are part of our strategy to augment key functions including intelligence capabilities. They are agile, efficient and easy to use, and their arrival is excellent news for the French forces."
Early 2024,Thales and French start'up Aeromapper joined their forces to meet the growing needs in contact drones of the armed forces. With the merger of Thales and Aeromapper, Thales has strengthened its position as an integrator of the contact drone ecosystem and Aeromapper retains the capacity and speed of innovation that have made the company a recognized actor of the French BITD while relying on the strength of Thales' export presence. NOCTUA 200, NOCTUA 300 and GRIZZLY 400 drones are now part of the Thales solutions portfolio, alongside the SPY'RANGER
NOCTUA 200
• 2.15 m wingspan
• 2 hours autonomy
• 30 km range
• 2 kg MTOW
Missions: Intelligence & Special Forces
Payloads: IMINT, SIGINT or Tactical Mapping
Datalink: High security & multi-channel radio-coms
Assets: small logistical footprint, very low radar & acoustic signature
Avionics: ARIES SAIL II
Launch by hand, belly landing
Already in service, combat proven
NOCTUA 300
• 2.99 m wingspan
• 3 hours autonomy
• 50 km range
• 6 kg MTOW
Missions: Intelligence, Armed, Security & Land Forces
Payloads: IMINT, SIGINT or Tactical Mapping
Datalink: High security & multi-channel radio-coms
Assets: low radar & acoustic signature
Avionics: ARIES SAIL II or CERBERE SAIL III
Launch by hand, belly landing
Already in service, combat proven
GRIZZLY 400
• 4.35 m wingspan
• 4 hours autonomy
• 50 km range
• 15 kg MTOW
Missions: Intelligence, Armed, Security & Land Forces
Payloads: Modular loading bay with air-drop capability: 2.8 kg payloads, IMINT, SIGINT, Tactical Mapping and specific payloads…
Datalink: high security & multi-channel radio-coms
Assets: designed for harsh environment (desert, mountain, jungle…), low radar & acoustic signature
Avionics: ARIES SAIL II or CERBERE SAIL III
Launch by catapult, belly landing
Already in service
SPY'RANGER 330
• The flying eye for the front-line units
• COMBAT PROVEN
• Two in-flight capabilities with dual IMINT / SIGINT
• 4 m wingspan
• 3 hours autonomy
• 30 km data range
SPY'RANGER 550
• Designed for the most demanding ISR missions
• COMBAT PROVEN
• Two in-flight capability with dual IMINT / SIGINT
• 5.2 m wingspan
• 5 hours autonomy
• 50 km data range