Toutatis: taking loitering munitions to a new level of precision and firepower

With high-intensity conflict on the rise, Thales is preparing to launch Toutatis, its latest innovation in the field of loitering munitions. The new weapon, with its precision guidance system and latest-generation warhead, can be deployed in under five minutes from a land, air or naval platform. Striking its target at speeds over 180 km/h, it is designed to instantly destroy an infantry fighting vehicle, and in the future, a tank, under a human operator's supervision , who remains in control of the system's AI functionality at all times.

Rewriting the playbook of high-intensity combat with a new generation of one-way effectors from Thales

In a constantly changing threat environment, and amid growing geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine and other conflict zones, Thales continues to lead the field in defence innovation. Developed under a self-funded R&D programme, Toutatis is part of a new generation of loitering munitions that take precision strike capabilities to a whole new level.

From platform design to high-performance warheads and ultra-precise terminal guidance algorithms, it takes real expertise across multiple technologies to develop such a weapon. Leveraging its world-class know-how in onboard electronics, artificial intelligence and critical defence systems, Thales has created Toutatis, an advanced weapon system named after the trusted tribal protector of ancient Celtic culture.

Toutatis expands the operational capabilities of modern armed forces and provides the agility they need to cope with the rigours of high-intensity conflict. With Thales's proven capacity for innovation and a record of operational excellence, the Group has a key role to play in anticipating the needs of tomorrow's battlefields and proposing the optimum response

Speed, precision, manoeuvrability, safety and security: purposely built for high-intensity operations

First things first: Toutatis is exceptionally easy to deploy. Weighing just 5 kg including its warhead, the weapon can be transported by a single soldier and readied in under five minutes for launch from a fighting vehicle, boat, helicopter or even another drone. Its simple design and intuitive operation minimise training requirements are significantly reduce the cognitive and functional load on the operator.

The new loitering munition has a range of 10 km, or 30 km in its extended-range version, with more than 30 minutes endurance and day/night capabilities to neutralise a target such as an infantry fighting vehicle. With a cruising speed of 100 km/h and a record-setting attack speed of 180 km/h, it is visually and acoustically discreet and resilient to radio and GNSS jamming, minimising the risk of interception by drone countermeasures and diminishing the adversary’s ability to respond.

Another key component of the Toutatis system is an innovative warhead weighing 1 kg, twice the average weight of other warheads on the market, and incorporating an electronic safe and arm device that protects operators from the risk of explosion during handling. Associated with a high-precision automatic guidance system based on optical technology, the safe and arm device significantly reduces the risk of collateral damage. Importantly, the human operator plays a critical role throughout the mission, supervising overall system operation, authorising the strike and retaining the ability to interrupt or abort the mission at a moment's notice

BlueSliver, the platform-agnostic warhead

The BlueSliver warhead arming Toutatis is probably one of the system's most remarkable features. With its modular design, operators can select interchangeable bespoke warheads to achieve the required terminal effect, for example to destroy an infantry fighting vehicle or similar target. The versatile, multi-purpose warhead is attached to the platform, simply and safely, just before the system is launched. Added to that, this family of latest-generation warheads is platform-agnostic, meaning it can be used on a broad range of different drone types, including long-range drones capable of striking targets up to 500 km away. This unique characteristic creates opportunities for strategic partnerships with local drone manufacturers and is helping to drive the resurgence of the French pyrotechnics industry.

Thales also expects to reach a framework agreement with the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to supply warheads for loitering munitions and one-way effectors.

Tailored to the needs of high-intensity operations

Toutatis is a real innovation in high-intensity warfare and one that is set to play an important role in ensuring the operational excellence and tactical superiority of the armed forces. The Toutatis loitering munition is now moving into industrial production, with the first series-produced systems expected by the end of 2026. This new generation of one-way effectors is also designed for deployment in swarms to meet an emerging requirement in high-intensity conflict scenarios.