At a time when technological sovereignty is becoming a major strategic issue for France, Drone Français is pursuing its mission to offer innovative, high-performance, 100% made-in-France solutions for armed forces. With this in mind, our team recently visited the 17e Groupement d'Artillerie (17GA) de l'Armée de Terre to present our technological bricks and discuss the operational requirements linked to the use of UAVs in demanding military contexts.
This meeting was an opportunity to forge concrete links with players in the field, to understand their operational constraints and to illustrate the relevance of our products in real-life scenarios. Here's a look back at a strategic exchange based on technology, innovation and defense.
A meeting at the heart of military innovation
Visit 17GAbased at Biscarrosse, is a unit specialized in the testing and implementation of advanced artillery systems. A key player in the development of the FrenchArmy's fire capabilities, the group is also interested in integrating new technologies into its operations, particularly in the fields of tactical drones, observation and intelligence.
It is in this context that Drone Français was invited to present its technological solutions, including ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) boards, FC (Flight Controllers), and custom FPV (First Person View) platforms.
Why Drone Français?
Because our components are designed, developed and assembled in France, we guarantee a high level of reliability, responsiveness and, above all, technological sovereignty. Unlike foreign solutions, our products can be easily adapted, modified or reinforced according to feedback from the field. In a military context, this makes all the difference.
Technological building blocks adapted to field requirements
The aim of this meeting was not simply to give a technical demonstration, but to understand the specific needs of operators and propose concrete solutions.
Robust, scalable flight cards (FC)
Our flight maps are designed for use in harsh environments. Compatible with the most widely used firmware in the industry, such as ArduPilot or Betaflight, they
provide maximum flexibility on missions. Our engineers ensure a level of redundancy, stability and modularity perfectly adapted to the requirements of the armed forces.
ESCs optimized for performance
Motor responsiveness, flight precision and resistance to voltage variations are essential criteria for military UAVs. Our ESCs made in France are calibrated to meet these criteria. Their robustness makes them suitable for flying in extreme conditions, while ensuring smooth, safe piloting.
The tactical FPV approach
The FPV approach (flying underwater) enables rapid, silent and ultra-localized reconnaissance. Drone Français develops fully-customizable FPV drones, designed to adapt to the most delicate missions: inspecting buildings, traversing confined areas, searching for visual targets or transmitting critical data in real time.
Interacting with end users: an essential step
This trip to the 17th Artillery Group is more than just a product presentation. It was part of a process of co-construction. By meeting the end-users - the soldiers who operate in the field - we were able to adapt our developments to their feedback, whether :
- interface ergonomics,
- resistance to electromagnetic interference,
- maintenance under deployment conditions,
- or secure radio connectivity.
The army has requirements that leave no room for approximation. As a French manufacturer, we have the capacity to respond rapidly to these expectations, with short development cycles and constant dialogue with our customers.
French Drone: a player in technological sovereignty
One of the major challenges facing the French defense industry is to reduce its dependence on foreign electronic components, particularly in the field of UAVs. Today, too many solutions are based on technological bricks from Asia or the United States, raising questions of cybersecurity, compatibility, or simply long-term access.
Drone Français is a trusted player in this ecosystem. Our components are designed and manufactured in France, in close collaboration with the armed forces and aerospace and security manufacturers.
Our presence at events such as SOFINS (Special Forces Exhibition) illustrates our determination to build a solid national ecosystem around tactical and strategic UAVs.
A collective dynamic: innovation and responsiveness
This trip to the 17GA is just one step in an overall process of collaboration with the French armed forces. It also testifies to our determination to constantly innovate, while maintaining our essential proximity to the field.
For example, we have already incorporated some of the feedback from gunners into the new generation of our Abellflight boards, by reinforcing their electromagnetic shielding, adapting connectors to military standards, and optimizing heat dissipation for long flights in hot environments.
What's next?
Drone Français will continue to go out into the field, in contact with regiments, special forces and technical units, to fine-tune its solutions. Listening, agile and totally sovereign, we turn every encounter into an opportunity for adaptation and progress.
The technological partnership between French industry and the military has never been so essential. And we are proud to contribute, in our own way, to a more autonomous, more innovative and more effective defense.
The visit to the 17th Artillery Group marked a new stage in the development of French Drone. By putting our technological building blocks at the service of real needs in the field, we are affirming our ambition: to offer robust, reliable and sovereign UAVs and components, designed for action.
At a time when conflicts are going digital and data is becoming a strategic asset, having FPV, ESC and FC solutions made in France is no longer an option, it's a necessity.