EOS Technologie, a French company, has recently disclosed details about their latest offering, the Veloce 330. This remote-operated munition can clock speeds up to 400 km/h, creating a buzz within the defense industry.
The Colibri and Larinae Projects
In 2022, the French Directorate General of Armaments, also known as DGA, initiated two remote-operated munition projects via the Defense Innovation Agency. Named Colibri and Larinae, the projects focus on the development of cost-effective and efficient solutions for neutralizing tanks located between 5 and 50 km away while ensuring swift delivery and training for military personnel.
Collaborations and Configurations
Two consortiums were chosen to oversee the Colibri project, namely MBDA/Novadem and Nexter/Delair. The project saw the evaluation of two munition configurations: one featuring a rotating wing while the other a fixed wing. The Larinae project followed a similar path. In June 2023, KNDS France, previously known as Nexter, was awarded the contract. The group, inclusive of EOS Technologie and TRAAK, was entrusted to lead the project.
Development of the MTO
Not long after, MBDA, in collaboration with Delair, took the wraps off their MTO “Mutant”. Around the same time, videos of a MTO developed by EOS Technologie began to surface on various social media platforms. On April 26, further details about this MTO, aptly named “Veloce 330”, came to light.
“Veloce 330” MTO Specifications
Designed and manufactured entirely in France, the Veloce 330 recently passed the third phase of flight tests with flying colors. It demonstrated impressive speed, reaching beyond 400 km/h and covering a 50 km distance in a mere 16 minutes.
The Veloce 330 MTO is projected to have a range of 80 km and an autonomy of up to 3 hours. A distinctive feature of this munition is its fixed wing, allowing for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The Veloce 330 is also equipped with a Core Generator Charge (CGN) to counteractive tank defenses and a navigation system that operates without GPS.
Reconnaissance Missions and Human Control
This MTO isn't just for defense. It can also be repurposed for reconnaissance missions, capable of detecting a vehicle located 15 km away in the daytime and 3 km away in the nighttime. In every scenario, human judgment remains pivotal, thanks to the advanced telemetry of the ammunition.