On Tuesday, June 27, the French Navy Naval Action Force training division conducted its first-ever at-sea anti-drone exercise (‘LADA day’) off the coast of Brest naval base in the Atlantic. During the drill, sailors practiced neutralizing aggressive unmanned aerial vehicles while aboard a FREMM-class frigate and an offshore patrol vessel.
LADA Day, dedicated to the fight against drones, aimed to train the units to face a threat that is more topical than ever. To do this, aerial drones, surface drones and micro-drones have been implemented in order to test the organizations fighting against asymmetric threats (LCMA).
The ability of Navy units to defend themselves against drones is a major challenge given the reality that this threat already represents. To respond appropriately, the FAN training division worked in an inter-organic manner with the participating units – the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Bretagne, the high seas patrol vessel (PHM) Enseigne de vessel Jacoubet, Rafale Marine des flotillas 11F and 12F and the marine rifle battalion (BFM) Amyot d’Inville.
By allowing marine riflemen to test their jamming and neutralization equipment on the high seas, surface ship crews to confront different types of aerial and surface drones, and by offering Rafale Marine pilots the opportunity to deal with a surface drone at high speed, this day fulfilled all of its objectives.
Initially, the FREMM Bretagne found itself confronted with aerial drones displaying flight speeds varying from 50 to 85 m/s. This was an opportunity to measure the effectiveness of the 76 mm gun and lower calibers such as the remotely operated 20 mm or the 12.7 mm machine gun. Following these air raids, micro-drones took off from the FREMM helicopter platform to test the jamming capabilities of the BADA rifle (autonomous anti-drone jammer) and their neutralization via shotguns supplied with ALDA ammunition.
This equipment, implemented by the riflemen of the BFM Amyot d’Inville, is more intended for use from land. Their use on the high seas has proven to be instructive. The protection brigades of the participating units were also able to attempt to destroy these drones using the weapons with which they are usually equipped (HK 416 and FAMAS).
Source: French Navy Press Release