According to the companies, the flight test validated the studies carried out under the programme and demonstrated the performance of the complete system, including the munition and the X-Fire multipurpose ground launcher. The launcher is being developed by Thales and Soframe and is designed to operate with both sovereign French munitions and foreign ammunition.
The FLP-t 150 was developed to replace the French Army’s Unitary Rocket Launchers and is intended to meet the requirements of high-intensity warfare operations. Thales and ArianeGroup said the system also paves the way for longer-range ballistic missiles with improved penetration capabilities against defended targets.
Under the industrial partnership, Thales is responsible for the overall system, including the launcher, fire-control and launch systems, while ArianeGroup develops the propulsion and guidance technologies for the munition. The companies stated that the rocket incorporates technologies derived from ballistic missile systems, particularly in propulsion, guidance and control.
According to the programme details, the FLP-t 150 has an operational range exceeding 150 kilometres and is capable of maintaining precision in contested environments affected by GNSS jamming. The munition uses a rear-mounted fin guidance system designed to perform precise terminal manoeuvres and improve target accuracy.
The X-Fire launcher is expected to conduct its first demonstration firings by the end of May 2026. Thales said the system was designed for rapid deployment and high mobility to support current operational requirements.
The companies stated that the programme combines sovereignty, interoperability and resilience through a fully French industrial chain, compatibility with allied munitions and the integration of anti-jamming technologies. The system also incorporates the Thales TopStar Smart Receiver, which combines positioning, navigation and time management functions in a single device.
Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President for Land and Air Systems at Thales, said, “This firing marks a decisive milestone for long-range land strikes and is the result of collaborative work between Thales and ArianeGroup.”
“The key differentiators of our joint offering are the reliability of the solution and our ability to deliver quickly and to ramp up production,” Dammann added. “In a high-intensity context, the sovereign, versatile and resilient X-Fire launcher represents a clear asset for the armed forces.”
Vincent Pery, Director of Defense Programs at ArianeGroup, said, “With its apogees reaching several tens of kilometres, its largely supersonic speeds, and the trajectory and maneuvering constraints during both the powered and terminal phases, the FLP-t 150 rocket requires technologies derived from our expertise in ballistic systems.”
“It is within this technological continuity that ArianeGroup brings its unique European expertise to the service of sovereign defence,” Pery added. “This first successful firing at the DGA-EM test site on Ile du Levant demonstrates the quality of our offering and our ability to effectively continue system development with our partner Thales in the next phase of the FLP-t programme. It also opens a new perspective for establishing a conventional ballistic sector that addresses tactical, operational, and strategic capability needs.”
