French Navy's Wildfire 26.2 exercise tested advanced anti-drone and missile tech, including the renamed Durandal and Rampart systems, with cross-service collaboration and international participation.
Wildfire 26.2 exercise concludes
Wildfire 26.2, an anti-drone exercise organized by the French Navy in the Mediterranean, has officially ended. The exercise brought together various military and industry stakeholders to test and develop new technologies for use at sea and on land.Cross-service technology sharing
The event highlighted how military branches often share and adapt technologies originally developed for one service. For instance, several technologies tested at sea were previously of interest to the Army, and vice versa. This exchange allows for more versatile and effective military capabilities.Testing Deluge munition
One of the key technologies tested was Deluge, a long-range teleoperated munition. MBDA fired it for the first time from a ramp installed on the deck of an amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA), a ship used for the first time in this exercise. The test attracted significant interest from the Navy.Deluge’s future in the Army
Deluge is primarily intended for the Army and the Air and Space Force. The Army plans to receive around 100 units, with the 1st Artillery Regiment of Belfort set to be equipped with a dedicated battery starting in 2027. The Air and Space Force aims to use Deluge for suppressing enemy air defenses.Renaming and specifications of Deluge
Deluge has been renamed Durandal by the French armed forces. The new name reflects the system’s transition from being teleoperated to more pre-programmed. Durandal can carry a 40 kg warhead and has a range of 500 km, with up to four munitions capable of being fired in 15 minutes.Testing the AR3 drone
The exercise also tested the AR3 drone from the Portuguese company Tekever. The drone was officially selected and is expected to be deployed with the 61st Artillery Regiment of Chaumont by the end of the year.Drone interceptors tested
Several drone interceptors were tested, including models from Destinus and Aerix Systems. Aerix Systems was later integrated into the Battle Lab LAD Terre (B2LT), a military research unit organized by the Army in Caylus.Testing the Rampart system
Wildfire also marked the first sea trials of the Rampart system by Naval Group. This modular launcher tested guided and unguided rockets from Thales, with the 68 mm rockets being the first to be integrated and fired from the system.Future integration of Piorun missile
The Piorun missile from the Polish group MESKO is expected to be the next missile integrated into the Rampart system. Although no firing was conducted during the exercise, the system’s compatibility with the missile was verified.Rampart’s broader interest
The Rampart system has drawn interest beyond the naval domain. The Army and Air and Space Force are exploring its potential for protecting air bases. The system may eventually replace the RAPIDFire land system on a deployable platform.Rampart’s upcoming tests
Following Wildfire, Rampart will return to sea for a campaign in the United Arab Emirates involving the Skynight missile. It will then return to land for testing in Belgium, initially planned for late 2026 but now expected in mid-2027.Belgian involvement in Rampart
Belgium has been actively involved in the Rampart project. The Belgian division was the first to conduct test firings in Liège. The system has since evolved to include up to three baskets with five tubes each, preparing for potential land-to-air artillery tests in the future.
