Drones Added to Live Training Exercises

At the I/ITSEC exhibition in Orlando, Florida, Thales is unveiling a new training capability that integrates drones into live training simulation systems to support modern battlefield training requirements. The system enables the use of drones within training environments to support more flexible and representative exercises aligned with evolving threat landscapes. The capability is compatible with a wide range of drones for both “friendly” and “enemy” scenario use.

Thales provides live training systems for collaborative military engagements and has deployments at Combat Training Centres, including CENZUB in France and GAZ in Switzerland. The company is introducing this drone training capability as an addition that can be integrated into existing live training systems.

The drone training module allows armed forces to conduct training for both friendly and malicious drone scenarios. The drone-agnostic kit is compatible with drones classified under categories C0–C6 and A1–A3, ranging in size from several hundred grams to multiple kilograms.

Each drone can be equipped with a kit incorporating sensors and indicators that simulate drone neutralisation effects and provide real-time feedback on drone status. Drones can also be outfitted with transmitters to simulate loitering munitions through self-detonation or armed drones through the virtual release of simulated payloads. Training data from exercises is automatically recorded for use in post-exercise debriefing and analysis.

“Drones are playing an increasingly decisive role on the battlefield, and it is crucial to have training solutions that can accurately simulate these new threats. Thales’ new drone training capability offers an adaptable and reliable training experience, allowing military personnel to effectively prepare for engagements and confrontations with these devices," said Benoit Broudy, Vice President of Training & Simulation activities, Thales.