Thales's TALIOS Optronic Pod Qualified By French Defence Procurement Agency

The new Initial Operational Capability (IOC) version of the TALIOS optronic pod developed by Thales has completed qualification testing by the French defence procurement agency (DGA).

TALIOS pod is an airborne equipment capable of designating a target. It combines electro-optical and infrared sensors with line-of-sight stabilisation and image processing capabilities. The new pod provides a long-range threat engagement capability to counter fixed and moving targets. Its through-life support system that includes SmartFleet fleet management and predictive maintenance solution has also been qualified. The pod’s logistic support system includes an transport solution used to attach the pod to the aircraft pylon without requiring any other tooling, Thales said in a statement Monday.

The TALIOS optronic targeting pod is compatible with combat aircraft such as the new Rafale F3R standard for the French Air Force and French Navy.

Ongoing system developments include an advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) function incorporating new reconnaissance modes, advanced target detection, automatic recognition algorithms, full-colour imagery and the pod's Vision Permanent function, which will superimpose real-time imagery on a 3D map of the operational environment, the company added.