Thales Launches Fulmar X Flexible UAV System

By Mike Ball / 20 Jul 2016

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Thales Fulmar X UAV

Thales has announced the launch of Fulmar X, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system designed to meet the needs of both military and civil customers in order to suit a wide range of surveillance missions, such as border surveillance, natural disasters, and illegal traffic monitoring. Fulmar X delivers high endurance and high-quality aerial intelligence using a small, flexible air platform with low running costs.

The Fulmar X system’s capabilities include an endurance of over 8 hours and an operating range of more than 80 km. Built entirely from carbon fibre composite, the UAV has a 3 metre wingspan. It is launched using a catapult and recovered automatically with a net, which can be operated in very confined areas such as a ship or vehicle. The recovery system is available in a number of configurations for quick, easy deployment from a fixed location with no dedicated infrastructure.

“The Fulmar X system from Thales provides an excellent balance between performance and ease of operational deployment. Its modular architecture supports multiple configurations so the system is suitable for a broad range of surveillance missions yet remains extremely competitive in terms of operating costs,” commented Pierre Eric Pommellet, Thales Executive Vice-President, Defence Mission Systems.

The UAV carries a combined EO/IR sensor so that operations can continue into the night. With its modular design, the Fulmar X system can readily be fitted with other equipment such as AIS automatic identification system or Mode 3/C transponder to meet the requirements of each customer and mission.

Find suppliers of Fixed Wing UAVs >

Fulmar X makes extensive use of off-the-shelf technology to benefit from the latest developments in sensors and engines, while complying with the highest standards of reliability and safety. Deployed as a stand-alone system or fully integrated to wider surveillance systems, Fulmar X is also designed to share its intelligence.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Jun 20, 2025
New AI Emission Detector for Autonomous Drones Enables Remote Methane Monitoring

Percepto has introduced an AI-powered emission detection system that combines autonomous drones and real-time analytics to streamline methane monitoring and regulatory compliance for oil and gas operators

Jun 20, 2025
CRP Technology Receives ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Certification for Additive Manufacturing

CRP Technology has obtained ISO 14001:2015 certification from DNV, covering its additive manufacturing processes and confirming alignment with international environmental management standards

Jun 20, 2025
Chess Dynamics Demonstrates Advanced AI Tracking in Challenging Field Trials

Chess Dynamics has demonstrated its advanced AI tracking technology in demanding multi-domain trials, showcasing reliable target tracking, classification and sensor performance in complex conditions

Jun 20, 2025
Marine Laboratory Advances Shallow Water Mapping with RIEGL Bathymetric LiDAR

Plymouth Marine Laboratory is advancing shallow water mapping using RIEGL's UAV-mounted bathymetric LiDAR, enabling high-resolution, low-impact environmental data collection and research

Jun 20, 2025
Evolito to Develop Electric Propulsion System in New Aerospace Collaboration

Evolito and VÆRIDION have partnered to develop electric propulsion technology for the Microliner aircraft, aiming to deliver improved propulsion efficiency and operational safety

Jun 19, 2025

Featured Content

Exail Showcases Integrated USV & AUV Operations in Collaborative Trial

Exail’s DriX USV and Ifremer’s Ulyx AUV were jointly deployed for the first time, demonstrating advanced cooperative capabilities in deep-sea exploration

Jun 19, 2025
HBK Updates RTK Service for Precise Positioning in Autonomous Systems

HBK has updated its SensorCloud RTK service, integrating with MicroStrain by HBK navigation systems to provide centimeter-level accuracy and simplified deployment for autonomous systems

Jun 17, 2025
MEMS DC Accelerometers from SDI Deliver Superior Performance for Unmanned Systems

SDI's MEMS DC accelerometers offer a robust solution for unmanned aerial, ground, and underwater vehicles, providing precise static and dynamic motion sensing, crucial for autonomous navigation, attitude feedback, and structural monitoring

Jun 12, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.