The French Air Force is set to receive a major upgrade to their Rafale combat aircraft in 2026 with the introduction of an AI-equipped Talios targeting pod. The new pod, developed by Thales, will mark the first time a French combat aircraft will carry a system that makes “intensive use” of deep learning technology.
The Talios pod entered service at the end of 2018, and is a key sensor for the Rafale. It is used for a variety of air-to-ground missions, such as targeting and reconnaissance, and can be used with a range of weapons including laser-guided bombs and missiles. Talios can also be used for air-to-air missions, such as providing visual identification of airborne targets.
Thales started working on a new AI capability for the Talios pod in 2018. In 2023, the French military awarded the company a contract to integrate the new AI system onto the Rafale F4.3.
The new capability will allow the pod to automatically detect and classify objects of interest, such as vehicles and buildings, in real time. This information will then be displayed to the pilot, who can then decide whether to engage the target.
According to Thales, the AI algorithms were trained using a vast database of imagery, including data from test flights and the French armed forces. Thales also worked with operational personnel to ensure that the AI system meets the needs of the pilots.
Thales says the new AI capability will significantly reduce the workload on pilots, allowing them to focus on other tasks. The AI system will also help to improve the accuracy of targeting, as it will be able to identify targets that might otherwise be missed by the human eye.
The upgraded Talios pod is a major step forward for the French Air Force, and it is likely to be followed by other countries that operate the Rafale. The development of AI-powered targeting pods is a trend that is likely to continue in the coming years, as militaries around the world seek to improve the capabilities of their aircraft.
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