French company EOS Technologie has unveiled its newest ‘kamikaze’ drone, which is capable of achieving speeds of up to 248.55 miles per hour (400 km/h).
Commissioned by France’s Direction generale de l’armement (DGA – French procurement agency), the Veloce 330 drone is a medium-range remotely operated munition (MTO).
As per the company, the drone traveled 31 miles (50 kilometers) in 16 minutes in its third phase of flight testing, giving it a top speed of 248.55 mph.
The company also mentioned that the drone only used half of its fuel tank to travel the distance.
France’s history with UAVs
Historically, France had not prioritized UAVs, particularly loitering munitions. However, recently, it changed its stance and began showing interest in developing its capabilities in this segment.
In 2022, the French DGA launched two remotely operated munitions [MTO] projects, namely Colibri and Larinae, which should be capable of neutralizing an armored vehicle located 3 and 31 miles away.
In 2023, the agency had sought bids to procure numerous loitering munition systems for their military. This was followed by several announcements made at the Paris Air Show held just a week later.
The French had also stressed the need for easy-to-handle UAVs to reduce the training time needed for troops.
On June 16, 2023, EOS Technologie had signed a contract with Nexter Arrowtech and TRAAK to develop a new medium-range, remotely operated munition.
It was touted that the new drone would have an anti-tank warhead and would be able to operate in a GPS-denied environment.
Reports also stated that the UAV would have reconnaissance abilities and could be remotely operated over medium ranges.
Capabilities of Veloce 330
As per a report in Army Recognition, Veloce 330 utilizes vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology.
The kamikaze drone also comes equipped with a core generating charge to counter active defenses. It also has a GPS-independent and jamming-resistant navigation system, developed by TRAAK.
Besides, the drone can carry out intelligence missions owing to the of an optronic sphere capable of detecting vehicles up to 9 miles away during the day and approximately 2 miles at night.
The next step is to transform the UAV into a remotely operated munition capable of penetrating tank armor.
KNDS France also stated that the “advanced telemetry of the ammunition” will ensure that humans play a key role in the decision-making related to the drone and its targeting. This ensures that the munition would not carry out automated missions.
As per the company, the drone has been fully designed and made on the Bordeaux premises of the French SME. The site is in Merignac, a town known for the Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft manufacturing workshops.
Loitering munitions and UAVs gain prominence around the world
Drones are increasingly being used in warfare to suit multiple needs. EOS Technologie itself refers to Veloce 330 as a mini version of ‘Iran’s Shahed-238’ MTO.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has also seen the use of several types of drones being built and used to attack the enemy’s tanks.
It is safe to say that drones will gain in prominence in the days ahead and France developing its own version of MTOs is a good sign for its self-defense.
