The beginning of a futuristic project called “Larinae” has been made official by the French Defense Innovation Agency (AID), with Nexter Arrowtech, EOS Technologie and TRAAK at the helm.
The announcement was made official on June 16, 2023, through a press release issued by the KNDS Group, which includes Nexter.
Development of remote-controlled munitions: Larinae and Colibri
Various June 12, 2023 reports revealed the Larinae and “Colibri” projects, both under the mantle of the French entities DGA and AID. Started a year ago, they seek to revolutionize the sector of remote-controlled munitions.
In particular, the Colibri system stands out for its compact design, capable of being carried in a backpack, offering a range of 5 km and a flight duration of 30 minutes.
On the other hand, the Larinae system has larger dimensions and guarantees a range of 50 km and an autonomy of one hour. Its ability to engage hardened or armored targets makes it a valuable tool on the battlefield.
Larinae: Advanced technology for precise missions
The consortium made up of Nexter, EOS and TRAAK has brought to the world a new generation drone, equipped with an explosive warhead and controllable from kilometers away.
The KNDS Group statement reveals that this innovative platform incorporates an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from EOS Technologie, an Explosive Formation Penetrator (EFP) warhead from Nexter and an advanced navigation system from TRAAK.
In addition to this, they promise an impressive range of 80 km and a flight duration of 3 hours.
The EOS Technologie Larinae: a revolutionary drone
EOS Technologie has surprised the world with its new drone Larinae. Unlike its predecessor, the Strix 425, this new model can take off and land vertically.
Industry rumors indicate that the Larinae’s EFP warhead might circumvent modern armored vehicles’ defense systems, attacking their less protected areas.
Detect and attack: two missions, one drone.
The Larinae’s detection system makes it possible to identify large targets at 15 km during the day and 3 km at night. Once the target is detected, the operator can choose to continue with the reconnaissance work or initiate an attack.
This gadget also offers the ability to recover the platform and ammo if an attack is not launched. It has been hinted that the platform could house both the sensor package and the warhead, eliminating the need to choose between reconnaissance or strike missions.
Attack Approach and Operation Details
The Larinae’s attack strategy could be focused on the vehicles’ upper armor, traditionally less fortified.
In addition, this system is capable of detecting large targets at a distance of 15 km during the day and 3 km at night. The platform can be easily recovered in case an attack is not made and can carry both the sensor pack and the warhead, eliminating the need to decide between reconnaissance and attack missions.
Navigation and Control: Jam-proof
The navigation and control system is resistant to interference, allowing its operation even without GPS. In addition, the Larinae project stands out for its affordability, a characteristic emphasized by the maximum unit price established by AID.
This focus on profitability and innovation promises to propel Larinae to a prominent place in the future of military technology.
