MX-10 DAMOCLES

History

The MX-10 DAMOCLES is a quadcopter loitering munition developed by KNDS France and Delair. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) signed a framework contract in July 2024 under the Remotely Operated Munition – Short Range (MTO-CP) initiative, covering up to 2,270 units over seven years. First systems were delivered to France's Joint Munitions Service (SIMu) on 2 December 2025. A total of 460 DAMOCLES were delivered to French forces in 2025 and 2026 under the firm part of the contract. In early October 2026, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces activated an optional tranche covering delivery of several hundred additional units within 12 months, with first deliveries from this batch due in early 2027. Luxembourg became the first export customer, signing a contract with KNDS Ammo France in June 2026 worth just over 1.6 million euros ($1.8 million) for an initial loitering munition capability. The system is in service with both the French Army and the French Navy.

Specifications

The MX-10 DAMOCLES uses a quadcopter architecture with electric propulsion and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It weighs 3.5 kg with an 80 cm wingspan and deploys in under five minutes. The system carries a 550 g explosive incendiary fragmentation warhead with point detonation. KNDS designates the target set as infantry and light vehicles; manufacturer press materials additionally cite capability against protected vehicles. The maximum range is listed by KNDS as 10 km, while French reporting has placed reach at 10 to 20 km. Operational endurance is 40 minutes. Navigation operates in GNSS-denied environments, and the data link is jam-resistant, providing real-time video to the operator up to the moment of impact. A Safety Armament Device allows the operator to abort an attack and return the drone to loitering mode until conditions are favourable for re-engagement.

Production and Program Status

Delair builds the airframe in partnership with the French arm of Schaeffler. The partners increased their starting production capacity tenfold to 100 units per day. DAMOCLES is part of the MATARIS family of loitering munitions, launched in 2025, and is the only loitering munition in Europe qualified at the government level. KNDS is competing as part of a team for France's upcoming medium-range loitering munition program, the third phase of the French Army's "contact drones" effort, for which France set aside more than 500 million euros in its 2026 budget. The DGA has also launched a consultation for tens of thousands of loitering munition warheads, purchasing them separately from the airframes so explosive charges can be stockpiled independently.