During April exercises at Var, the French Air and Space Army tested Hellfire missiles launched from an MQ‑9 Reaper, confirming successful strikes on drone targets. Within three months of integration, the munition was expanded to engage aerial threats, creating a new anti‑drone capability. The Reaper’s long‑duration patrols, high‑definition thermal imaging and persistent surveillance allow the army to identify and classify threats in dense airspaces, providing a graded, adaptable response. The tests, carried by CEAM and DGA, explore drone‑protection methods, and the Reaper’s integration adds multi‑layered capability alongside Rafale interceptors, Fennec helicopters, ground‑to‑air systems such as MAMBA and VL MICA, and future anti‑drone experiments. Operated by a four‑person crew, the aircraft supplies surveillance, reconnaissance, precision strikes and extended endurance, improving long‑range monitoring and support for deployed forces.
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