CNES Publishes Call for Drone Swarm to Monitor Launch Operations
CNES released a call for proposals on 4 March to field a swarm of autonomous drones at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The solicitation targets contractors who can deliver a proof‑of‑concept system that will operate during launch campaigns and support site security. The initiative is part of CNES’s Flexible, Digital and Sustainable programme and is intended to be ready for deployment in the last quarter of 2026.
The Flexible, Digital and Sustainable programme allocates €104 million over five years to lower the centre’s carbon emissions and drive a comprehensive digital overhaul. The drone swarm is listed under the Digitisation of the Guiana Space Centre work package and is expected to perform perimeter patrols, monitor vehicle transfers, respond to crisis scenarios, conduct facility inspections and assist during launch sequences. Testing of the system is planned for an 18‑month period after its initial rollout. Security duties at the launch site remain the responsibility of the Forces Armées en Guyane, which currently patrols the area with Fennec and Puma helicopters and can call on Rafale fighter jets for national security missions. In parallel, CNES is advancing the €140 million Guiana Space Centre “New Generation” project, which will add upgraded cleanrooms, a new radar station, modernised operations centres and a solar farm to provide greener energy.
The drone‑based approach aligns with the broader push for digital transformation and sustainability across European launch infrastructure. By integrating autonomous aerial assets, CNES aims to enhance situational awareness, reduce reliance on manned patrol aircraft and streamline inspection workflows. The timing coincides with the New Generation upgrades, suggesting a coordinated effort to modernise both hardware and operational processes at the Guiana Space Centre. Successful implementation could set a precedent for similar autonomous security and monitoring solutions at other launch facilities worldwide.
