French Air Force Orders Nine Damocles Targeting Pods

Released on Monday, June 30, 2008

The General Delegation for Armaments (DGA) has notified on June 30, 2008 the company Thales an order for 9 pods Damocles. This command is part of a global market acquisition of 10 nacelles. The first pod, which will be delivered in mid-2009, will serve the development of integration on the fighter-bombers "Mirage 2000D" of the French Air Force.

The Damocles pod is an airborne infrared identification and designation system to engage targets on the ground by laser, day or night. It is used for precision air strikes. It presents a sharp increase in performance in scope and image quality compared to the pod PDLCTS that currently is provided to the "Mirage 2000D." In addition, it has a function to authenticate the illumination of a target designated by a special forces operator at ground level.

The nacelles Damocles will be delivered to the Air Force in 2010. They will also equip the "Rafale" standard F3 of the French Air Force and Navy.