An Update on the French Government Approach to Drones: A March 2025 Update

03/02/2025
By Pierre Tran Paris - The armed forces minister, Sébastien Lecornu, visited Feb. 27 Turgis Gaillard, a private company developing and building a low-cost medium-altitude, long-endurance combat drone, dubbed Aarok, at Blois, central France.    “Turgis Gaillard had the honor to welcome the armed forces minister, Sébastien Lecornu, on its…

Further Consolidation of the European Land Weapons Business: KNDS Acquires Texelis

01/31/2025
By Pierre Tran Paris - The French unit of KNDS and Texelis have signed an outline agreement on the acquisition of the builder of powertrains for armored vehicles by the manufacturer of land weapons, KNDS said in a Jan. 29 statement. “On January 29, 2025, KNDS and the shareholders of…

French Aerospace Industrial Outlook for 2025

01/13/2025
By Pierre Tran Paris - The French aerospace industry was entering 2025 with an “exceptional” geostrategic and political outlook, seeking to respond to strong demand for products and services, while bracing for a gathering storm of U.S. trade tariffs expected from an incoming administration, Guillaume Faury, chairman of Gifas, an…

Technology and Changing Concepts of Operations: Transforming Military Vehicle Architecture

12/21/2024
By Pierre Tran LIMOGES, France - Texelis, a builder of powertrains for armored vehicles, was working on an 18-month feasibility study for an electric hub drive to power hybrid diesel/electric vehicles, said Marin Tollet, marketing and communications director. The feasibility study ran to the end of 2025, he said December…

The Way Ahead with FLRAA: Insights from AUSA 2024

10/23/2024
By Robbin Laird The panel on the future of vertical lift and interviews conducted by the press during the recent AUSA conference provided further insights regarding the FLRAA program and the way ahead. The conference was held from the 14-16 October in Washington D.C. Let us address first the schedule…

Defence Industry in Australia: Building Strategic Depth and Resilience in Support of the Ready Force

10/07/2024
The September 26, 2024 Sir Richard Williams Foundation focused on accelerating the capabilities of the ready force. Defence industry in Australia is obviously a key player in the ability for the government to find ways to enhance the ready force. A panel of six industrial representatives discussed this challenge lead…

Making a Good Aircraft Even Better: Osprey Modernization

06/10/2024
By Jo Ann Y. Williams, Ed.D. Attending SOF Week 2024 in Tampa recently made me reflect on the V-22 Osprey program’s past triumphs and challenges, as well as its future. Over a decade ago, I was part of a team that helped train Osprey pilots. Many of today’s Osprey squadron commanders are…

A Look at Texelis: French Builder of Mobility Packages for Armored Vehicles

05/20/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - Texelis, a builder of mobility packages for armored vehicles, is working on an electric  motorized wheel as an alternative to conventional drivelines, chief executive Jean Vandel told the Association des Journalistes de Defense, a press club. The company is developing and investing in new technology, including…