The Franco-German consortium KNDS has revealed new details about its ambitious LARINAE loitering ammunition program.
This advanced project is a collaborative effort involving several key players in the defense industry.
The LARINAE team includes Nexter Arrowtech, now part of KNDS France, which provides the warhead. EOS Technologies is responsible for the UAV system, and Traak handles the navigation solution.
Designed for versatility and endurance, the LARINAE loitering ammunition, known popularly as “suicide drones,” boasts a flight autonomy of three hours and a range between 80 and 120 kilometers. It will be equipped with a core-generating warhead (CGN), capable of neutralizing all armored threats while circumventing their active protection systems.
One of the standout features of the LARINAE is its innovative blended wing body with a lifting fuselage. The UAV is powered by a jet engine from ALM Méca, a Strasbourg-based company specializing in turbojets for aviation and modeling. The engine, the A-120, provides 120 N of thrust, weighs around 1.4 kg, and allows the LARINAE to achieve a cruising speed of 200 km/h and a maximum speed of 400 km/h. With a range of 100 km and a payload capacity of 6 kg, the UAV has a take-off mass of approximately 27 kg.
The consortium plans to conduct the first demonstrations with an inert charge in early 2025.