CILAS to provide lasers to Paris Olympics and Paralympics C-UAS programme

Laser specialist CILAS will supply two high-energy lasers to the French army to help secure the skies above the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company will also provide operational training for its HELMA-P lasers as part of the contract. 

The HELMA-P system is capable of detecting, identifying, tracking and neutralising drones and other targets. It can operate in urban areas and has a range of one to seven kilometres.

The announcement follows a test exercise by the French Air and Space Force for the Parade anti-drone programme in Coubertin earlier in March. The Parade contract was awarded in 2022 to Thales and CS Group who lead a consortium of small and medium sized French companies.

In addition to the Helma-P lasers, the complete anti-drone system includes a drone interceptor and a jamming rifle.