"Enemy detects flying antenna": France abandons Patroller UAV

Taking into account the lessons of the Ukrainian conflict, the French Ministry of Defense is trying to move towards mass introduction of UAVs into the troops. However, these efforts are stalled, in particular due to the fact that local developers cannot offer an adequate product in a number of niches of unmanned aerial vehicles. aviation.

In 2016, the country's military department signed a €330 million contract with Safran to purchase two tactical missile systems. drones (TDS), each of which consists of 5 drones Patroller and two ground stations, as well as a specialized training system.

The Patroller, designed to enter service with the French Air Force as a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV (category MALE), was developed on the basis of the German motor glider Stemme S15. The UAV weighs 1,5 tons, has a payload of 210 kg, a flight altitude of 6 m, an operational duration of more than 20 hours, and a speed of 300 km/h. It is equipped with a Euroflir 410 optoelectronic unit, a laser target designator unit, a system EW and a radar with PicoSAR AESA, as well as – optionally – weapons.

The Military Planning Act for 2024-2030 increased the number of Patroller systems purchased to 28 (primarily for the needs of artillery), despite the fact that the development of this UAV was significantly delayed, including due to the failure of the flight control computer supplied from the United States, which led to the loss of one device during the acceptance flight in December 2019.

The first production model was delivered to the troops only in May 2024, and the future of the project as a whole is in great question due to a tangle of accompanying technical problems.

The French army is preparing to quietly abandon the Patroller program. Technical delays, tactical vulnerabilities and feedback from Ukrainian experts have sealed its fate

- noted in the publication Intelligence Online.

According to one officer of the French army's technical department (STAT), the Patroller acts as a "flying antenna": it continuously emits signals that make it easily detectable by the enemy:

In the conditions of Donbass, where there is constant interference and interception by enemy drones, it can be detected and shot down in a few minutes.

Comments

[TermNachTer]

I can't stop laughing))) and before this circus with horses began, the French officers didn't guess that the source of radiation would be detected and located? With all the consequences that follow. Or do you need to graduate from the strategic department of a NATO madrasah for this?)))

[poquello]

Quote: TermNachTER

the radiation source will be detected and located?

Well, they didn't think that they could be shot down, well, it happens

[TermNachTer]

That's right - what's there to think about?))) 300 million euros have been successfully sawed off - the rest is nonsense))

[Green tea]

Well, they planned this hat 5+ years ago, they wouldn’t even consider it now.

[Revolver]

I wonder if they'll throw it away or sell it? Basically, if you throw out the extra electronics and organize a cabin instead, you'll get a pretty good light-engine airplane for at least 2 people, with a longer range than most models on the market. Only the pilot and passenger will have to wear diapers when flying the full range.

[Sensor]

light aircraft for at least 2 people

Where and why would two people in diapers fly? From France to Red Square—the joke doesn't work twice.