New Targeting Pods for French Air Force Aircraft

The Dlgation gnrale pour larmement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, has awarded Thales an order for nine Damocls target acquisition pods. The first pod, ordered previously, will be delivered in mid-2009, and will be used for systems integration on the Mirage 2000D combat aircraft of the French air force.>> Damocls is a day/night airborne target identification (thermal imaging) and designation (laser) pod. It is used for precision-guided strike missions. Its performance, in terms of range and image quality, is substantially improved compared to the PDLCTS pod which currently equips the Mirage 2000D. Furthermore, it has an additional mode allowing secure confirmation of targets illuminated by ground-based special operations troops.>> The Damocles pods will be delivered to the French air force in 2010. They will also be used by the Rafale F3 aircraft operated by the French air force and naval aviation.>> -ends->