In France, a powerful UAV has been developed. How does it compare to the “Flamingo”?
The French Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with Turgis Gaillard and Renault, is developing the strike drone “Chorus.” The development was announced by Patrick Payu, a delegate from the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA), during hearings in the Senate.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Zone Militaire.
Also read: “The deal was ‘cut’: The Antimonopoly Committee did not allow a company from the UAE to buy shares of the manufacturer of the ‘Flamingo'”
Specifications of Chorus
According to Payu, the “Chorus” drone will have:
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range – up to 3000 km;
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payload – 500 kg;
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speed – 400 km/h;
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cost of one unit – about 100,000 euros.
The developers are looking at the Ukrainian cruise missile system “Flamingo,” which has slightly better specifications (1150 kg warhead, 850-900 km/h), but also uses a turbojet engine.
Will there be mass production?
Despite the ambitious specifications, mass production of the “Chorus” is not planned.
“We do not intend to procure a large number of such systems that will quickly become obsolete. However, this work ensures that Renault, when the time comes, will be able to produce them in large volumes,” Payu explained.
Context of the French OWE program
Recall that in January, the French Ministry of Defense ordered the first batch of remotely operated munitions (MTO) of long range type “One Way Effector” from the consortium MBDA and Aviation Design.
This drone has a warhead of 40 kg, a range of 500 km, and a speed of 400 km/h. It is planned to be used for deep tactical strikes and to deplete the enemy’s air defense (similar to the Russian “Geran-2”).
It is worth noting that the Ukrainian company Fire Point, which created the cruise missile “Flamingo,” has recently been actively expanding its presence in the defense market.
In particular, the manufacturer announced the development of a new air defense system that is expected to be a cheaper alternative to Patriot and is negotiating with European companies.
Additionally, Fire Point is close to completing the creation of two supersonic ballistic missiles – FP-7 and FP-9, one of which will be able to reach Moscow.
