With satellite-linked autonomy and eight hours of endurance, a Toulouse-based manufacturer is catching the eye of the defence sector.

For years, radio-frequency links have tethered drones to ground operators. But the BOREAL ISR, developed by Toulouse-based Boreal SAS (part of the Mistral Group), severs that electronic leash. By fully integrating satellite communications (SATCOM), the fixed-wing drone’s operational range is now dictated by only one metric: its fuel tank.

Weighing under 25kg, the system is launched via catapult and can be deployed by a two-person team in less than 30 minutes, even in remote areas lacking infrastructure. Once airborne, it boasts an eight-hour endurance and an 800-kilometre range. The drone acts as a high-altitude sentry, using a gyro-stabilised turret with visible high-definition and infrared sensors to provide 360-degree, day-and-night observation.

Historically, Boreal’s technology has been championed for civilian applications, such as search and rescue, tracking marine wildlife, and monitoring illegal fishing in French Guiana.

However, as global demand for autonomous surveillance surges, the company is expanding its horizons. Led by CEO Marc Pollina, Boreal recently partnered with aerospace giant Thales to adapt its long-range technology into loitering munitions, underscoring the rapid crossover between civilian aviation and modern global security.