European Air Group is testing New-generation TALIOS during Foch Mission.

Engaged in the Foch mission of the Carrier Strike Group, the European Air Group has been implementing, since February 28, 2020, the new TALIOS (Targeting Long-range Identification Optronic System) as part of ground-support training missions and maritime surveillance. This ramp-up phase will soon be followed by operational commissioning on Rafale Marine version which will authorize its use in a wide range of operations.

FS Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier (Picture source: Johann GUIAVARCH / Service d'Informations et de Relations Publiques de la Marine)

The Targeting Long-range Identification Optronic System (TALIOS) is an advanced sensor designed to provide target information acquisition and target tracking in support of the Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft.

The high-resolution sensor system is capable of scanning a wide area to search for targets in reconnaissance mode and thereafter moving to target acquisition and tracking modes. It is capable of generating a 3D mapping. The system is fitted with onboard artificial intelligence (AI) to allow automatic target recognition and target acquisition. Besides, the pod supports deep strike with long-range bombs and missiles, air-to-air target identification, close air support (CAS) and Non-Traditional Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.

The TALIOS differs mainly from the DAMOCLES pod, in service for more than fifteen years in the Navy, by the addition of a very efficient long-distance camera and the modernization of the IR band II (infrared) sensor. In addition, the human-system interface has been redesigned to present the pilot with all of the information essential for understanding a complex tactical situation. Finally, the maintenance of the nacelle is improved thanks to the addition of a "cabin maintenance" mode giving a direct report of its state at the end of the flight, which allows anticipating its maintenance.

Thus, with the TALIOS pod, the European Air Group sees its operational capabilities boosted and now benefits from a high-performance optronic sensor which will be an asset during the next operations of power projection or control of aeromaritimes spaces led by the naval aviation group.