In a symbolic milestone for the French Army’s modernization efforts, the DT46 artillery reconnaissance drone made its public debut during the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées. Accompanying the 68th African Artillery Regiment (68e RAA), the drone’s appearance highlighted ongoing transformation under the Army’s Scorpion program.
Stationed in La Valbonne and tracing its roots to 1941 in Tlemcen, Algeria, the 68e RAA has served in major operations, from the Provence landings to missions in Mali and Afghanistan. Now embracing next-generation capabilities, the regiment’s use of the DT46 marks a key evolution in battlefield intelligence.
The DT46 is purpose-built for imagery intelligence (IMINT) missions and plays a critical role in target acquisition, counter-battery operations, and deep reconnaissance. With a weight of 28 kg, the drone can operate up to 80 km away, boasts a five-hour endurance in fixed-wing mode, and over three hours in VTOL mode. It carries a 5 kg payload, accommodates multiple sensors, and maintains a low acoustic signature, detectable only within 200 meters.
