France tests deployment of FPV drones from military transport aircraft

Story

Footage released by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) on Jan 12, 2026 shows the French air force dropping and launching of small drones from an A400M aircraft as part of efforts to study airborne drone launch dynamics. The DGA said the tests involved releasing dozens of drone models from an Airbus A400M operated by the French Air Force. According to the DGA, three flights were conducted, during which a total of 72 drone models were dropped. Of these, 51 were released from the aircraft’s rear ramp, while 21 were deployed through the side doors. Available footage indicates that the tests involved copter-type drones of various sizes and configurations, including models resembling first-person-view (FPV) drones. The DGA said the devices used were non-operational drone models without full electronics, though limited onboard equipment may have been installed to record flight data. The primary objective of the experiment was to analyse how airflow and turbulence affect drones immediately after release from an aircraft. Officials said one of the key technical challenges in airborne drone deployment is stabilisation after launch, as transport aircraft generate significant turbulence in their wake. The tests are intended to support simulations and modelling aimed at better understanding drone behaviour during such launches. The experiment reflects growing interest among armed forces in developing air-launched drone capabilities, including the potential future deployment of swarms or reconnaissance systems from transport aircraft.