French company EOS Technologie has unveiled its newest ‘kamikaze’ drone, the Veloce 330, capable of reaching speeds up to 248.55 mph. Commissioned by France’s procurement agency, the drone reportedly traveled 31 miles in 16 minutes during its third phase of flight testing, using only half its fuel tank.
France’s Growing Interest in UAVs
France has recently shifted its focus towards developing its capabilities in the UAV segment, particularly loitering munitions. In 2022, the French DGA launched two remotely operated munitions projects, Colibri and Larinae, aimed at neutralizing armored vehicles from various distances.
The French military has also emphasized the need for easy-to-handle UAVs to reduce training time for troops. In June 2023, EOS Technologie signed a contract with Nexter Arrowtech and TRAAK to develop a new medium-range, remotely operated munition with reconnaissance abilities and GPS-denied environment operability.
Veloce 330’s Advanced Features
The Veloce 330 utilizes vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology and is equipped with a core generating charge to counter active defenses. It also features a GPS-independent and jamming-resistant navigation system developed by TRAAK.
The drone’s optronic sphere allows it to detect vehicles up to 9 miles away during the day and approximately 2 miles at night, enabling it to carry out intelligence missions. The next step is to transform the UAV into a remotely operated munition capable of penetrating tank armor.
KNDS France emphasized that the “advanced telemetry of the ammunition” ensures human involvement in the decision-making process related to the drone’s targeting, preventing automated missions.
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