The French army will receive the latest Patroller drone

The long-awaited unmanned aerial vehicle Patroller from Safran is ready to enter the arsenal of the French army in the very near future. The new product has high hopes, since it will, in addition to the main intelligence functions, also be armed with laser-guided missiles.

First batch of 5 drones and two ground stations will be handed over to the military in early December.

It is assumed that the latest aircraft will begin to carry out combat missions closer to the 2021 year. It is especially needed in Africa, in the Sahara and Sahel regions - difficult for traditional patrols due to the huge areas.

Patroller is able to remain in the air for 14 hours. The latest technology allows him to collect data in the range of 360 degrees and at a distance of up to 140 kilometers. The machine is able to operate both in the daytime and at night. According to the military, this model should perfectly cope with the detection and identification of any enemy.

Armed with Patroller will be 68-millimeter laser-guided missiles from the French company Thales. Similar ones are already used on Eurocopter Tiger combat helicopters. According to information from the company's website, the aircraft can carry a payload of up to 250 kg.

Comments

[Livonetc]

And which object can effectively hit such a rocket (68mm)?

[Invoce]

Yes, anyone is not protected. Flies into the window and ....

[marshes]

Quote: Livonetc

And which object can effectively hit such a rocket (68mm)?

Yes Toyota pickup and yes on the go.

[cost]

It is especially needed in Africa, in the Sahara and Sahel regions.

The Sahara-Sahel region, including Mali and neighboring Niger, is a major source of unenriched uranium that supplies France’s nuclear industry

[marshes]

Quote: Rich

The Sahara-Sahel region, including Mali and neighboring Niger, is a major source of unenriched uranium that supplies France’s nuclear industry

Yes, it’s clear that as long as 80% of the energy in France is nuclear power plants, so there will be interest in uranium, the former metropolis, they still have a fixed idea of ​​overtaking Boshe.

[Mountain shooter]

Quote: Livonetc

And which object can effectively hit such a rocket (68mm)?

Car. Not armored ...

[Vladimir_2U]

Toyota shahidskoy and do not need to fly into the window.

[Livonetc]

Simple

high hopes for the new product

French was crushed.
However, it has been crushed for a long time.

[knn54]

Do not save, put the British airborne radar PicoSAR with AFAR

[voyaka uh]

Yes ... looking at the Patroller, the French are far behind with drones.
TTX weak.
Although the French know how to do electronics well.

[Good_Anonymous]

Quote: voyaka uh

TTX weak

In order to state this, it would be nice to know the price of this drone.

[voyaka uh]

30 million

[Good_Anonymous]

I didn’t believe it, I got to look. And in general:

The contract for the Patroller UAV, including 12 years maintenance, is worth some € 300 million (US $ 341.7 million)

(this is for 14 pieces)

Then it costs $ 24M, the price includes 12 years of service. Expensive, of course, for such characteristics, but not "horror-horror". But they've been sawing it since 2010