70 mm laser guided proxy rocket at Thales Belgium facility in Herstal (Agnes Helou)
HERSTAL, Belgium — Thales has officially launched its latest version of the 70 mm laser guided rocket, LGR275 Proxy, which is equipped with new LiDAR proximity sensor specifically designed to target enemy drones.
The new design was unveiled to the public during the first day of the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, but Thales officials told Breaking Defense during a May media tour that the new sensor was developed in response to ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
The new rocket is guided through a laser designator similar to the older version, and is produced in Thales Belgium facilities. Its new LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor uses laser pulses to measure the distance to the target and gets activated when in proximity of the threat.
“The use of laser designation has some limitation when it’s raining, for instance, and so we are seeing some key mature evolution of the technology, which allows also us to really accelerate this kind of implementation of new solutions,” Alain Quevrin, country director of Thales Belgium and Luxembourg, told Breaking Defense in an interview. (Like other media outlets, Breaking Defense accepted travel and accommodation from Thales for the trip.)
