In a notable moment highlighting France’s defense modernization, the French Army publicly showcased its DT46 artillery reconnaissance drone for the first time during the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées. This marks a significant milestone in the Army’s Scorpion modernization program, emphasizing the integration of advanced unmanned systems into conventional forces.
The DT46 was presented alongside the 68th African Artillery Regiment (68e RAA), part of the 7th Armored Brigade, a storied unit that upholds the legacy of African artillery formations. Stationed in La Valbonne in the Ain region, the regiment has seen action in major historical operations, from the 1944 Provence landings to Operation Serval in Mali and the Pamir mission in Afghanistan.
The DT46 drone introduces a powerful new capability to France’s artillery forces, primarily used for imagery intelligence (IMINT). It enhances deep target acquisition, directly benefiting combined arms maneuver units and contributing to counter-battery warfare by locating and identifying hostile artillery.
This 28-kilogram drone is operated at the brigade level and boasts high-performance specifications: a range of 80 kilometers, flight endurance of over five hours in fixed-wing mode, and more than three hours with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) functionality. Its vertical flight kit ensures flexibility in varied environments. With a wingspan of 4.7 meters and length of 2 meters, the drone has a minimal acoustic footprint, detectable only within 200 meters. Its 5 kg payload bay can carry a range of specialized sensors for reconnaissance and targeting support.
