Talios passes its baptism of fire
French optronic targeting pod makes its operational debut in strikes against ISIS.
The Talios laser designator targeting pod from Thales was used in an operational strike mission for the first time by the French Air and Space Force on 22-23 January.
Flying missions under Operation Chammal, two twin-seat Rafale B multi-role aircraft hit Islamic State positions near the Iraqi-Syrian border, the French MoD announced on 26 January.
Chammal is the French component of the multi-national Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS.
Derived from the Damocles pod, the multi-functional Talios includes laser ammunition guidance and long-range damage assessment functions, as well as target reconnaissance capabilities by day and at night.
As a result, the MoD claimed, Talios can not only detect and identify fixed or mobile targets on the ground and in flight ‘but also, as in the present case, ensure weapon fire with great precision’.
Talios passed qualification tests with French defence procurement agency DGA in November 2018. At the time, Thales noted that the SmartFleet fleet management and predictive maintenance solution was also qualified.
The optronic targeting pod is one of the major components of the Rafale F3R and F4 for the French Air and Space Force and French Navy.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
