French army successfully tested Hellfire missile launched from MQ‑9 Reaper aircraft, extending anti‑drone capabilities to aerial targets. The trials, held in April at the Levant island firing range, demonstrated the Reaper’s endurance and the Hellfire’s precision, offering a graduated response to drone threats and broadening the air and space force’s operational options. CEAM and DGA have incorporated the Hellfire into France’s air‑defence system (LAD). The Reaper, fitted with advanced sensors, can engage medium‑to‑low and medium‑altitude threats while maintaining long‑duration high‑altitude surveillance, delivering real‑time tactical analysis from its four‑person crew. This integration complements existing assets—Rafale, Fennec, MAMBA, VL MICA, and future anti‑drone systems—enhancing protection of sensitive zones and deployed forces.
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