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.

“

"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."

Florence Parly, Minister for the Armed Forces, on the delivery of the first three SPY'RANGER systems for the French Army's SMDR programme – June 2020

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

The NOCTUA 200 is an ultra-light, high discreet, long-endurance ISR UAV system. With its very small logistical footprint, it is specially designed for Intelligence, forward units & Special Forces missions thanks to its IMINT / SIGINT payloads. Deployable in less than 5 minutes, transportable in a rucksack and launched with a single hand, it flies up to 2 hours at 60 km/h. NOCTUA 200 is a combat proven UAV and equipped French and foreign Forces.

•   2.15 m wingspan
•   2 hours autonomy
•   30 km range
•   2 kg MTOW incl. 0.5 kg for IMINT, SIGINT or tactical mapping payloads
Missions: Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Special Operations, Tactical mapping
Datalink: high security & multi-channel radio-coms
Assets: small logistical footprint, very low radar & acoustic signatures
Avionics: ARIES SAIL II
Launch by hand, belly landing
Already in service, combat proven

NOCTUA 300

The NOCTUA 300 is a lightweight, discreet, long-endurance ISR UAV system. With its small logistical footprint, it is designed for Intelligence, security, front lines units, Special & Land Forces missions thanks to its IMINT / SIGINT payloads. Deployable in less than 5 minutes, transportable in a small case and hand-launched, it flies up to 3 hours at 70 km/h. NOCTUA 300 is a combat proven UAV. It is in service in Land Forces and governmental/security units.

•   2.99 m wingspan
•   3 hours autonomy
•   50 km range
•   6 kg MTOW, incl. 1.4 kg for IMINT, SIGINT or tactical mapping payload
Missions: Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Special Operations, 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

The GRIZZLY 400 is a rugged, long-lasting UAV system designed for harsh environment and IMINT / SIGINT missions.With its modular loading bay, it carries two payloads simultaneously, enabling it to accomplish several objectives in a single mission.GRIZZLY 400 has also an air-drop capability and can drop payloads as passive sensors, medikits, munitions… Deployable in less than 5 minutes and launched easily from a catapult, it flies for up to 4 hours at 70 km/h. GRIZZLY 400 is already in service in Special Forces.

•   4.35 m wingspan
•   4 hours autonomy
•   50 km range
•   15 kg MTOW incl. 2.8 kg for IMINT, SIGINT, Tactical Mapping or specific payloads.
Missions: Intelligence, Armed, Security & Land Forces
Payloads: Modular loading bay with air-drop capability
Datalink: high security & multi-channel radio-coms
Assets: designed for harsh environment (desert, mountain, jungle…), low radar & acoustic signatures
Avionics: ARIES SAIL II or CERBERE SAIL III
Launch by catapult, belly landing
Already in service

SPY'RANGER 330

The Spy’Ranger 330 is an electric mini-UAV system for front-line intelligence, forward units and security forces which can be used for IMINT/SIGINT missions. Deployable in less than 15 minutes and launched from a catapult, it can fly up to 3 hours at 93 km/h.

• 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

The Spy’Ranger 550 is an electric mini-UAV system for front-line intelligence, forward units and security forces which can be used for IMINT/SIGINT missions and deployed in dual. Deployable in less than 15 minutes and launched from a catapult, it can fly up to 5 hours at 93 km/h.

• 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