Stratobus Photo: Thales Alenia Space

Thales Alenia Space and Thales have signed a contract with The French defense procurement agency DGA to carry out a concept study concerning intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications using a Stratobus type platform to meet French army operational needs. 

The contract’s purpose is to study the benefits of continuous stratospheric platforms to improve and expand France’s defense capabilities. It includes studies of an operational concept study for an ISR mission including exercises simulating its use in theaters of operation, and a full-scale demonstrator concept, capable of flying in the stratosphere to demonstrate the in-flight performance of an ISR mission of this type. 

“The aim of this contract is to assess the relevance of Stratobus type continuous stratospheric solutions to meet defense needs, and also marks a major step forward in the definition of a possible operational solution in conjunction with users” Jean-Philippe Chessel, director of the Stratobus product line said. “We are aiming to carry out a flight demonstration by the end of 2023.”