Milton Innovation’s new Sky Watcher drone offers enhanced compactness and modularity for special forces at SOFINS 2025
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During the SOFINS exhibition dedicated to special forces and defense innovation, Milton Innovation, a subsidiary of the Etienne Lacroix Group and a new member of GICAT, unveiled the prototype of its miniaturized drone, the Sky Watcher. Initially presented in its first configuration at Eurosatory in June 2024, this next-generation drone has since undergone a comprehensive redesign, including modifications to its structural layout, electronic components, propulsion system, and general architecture, with the aim of enhancing compactness, robustness, and modularity. This reengineering work also includes the integration of miniaturized GNSS antennas and sensors, as well as the development of a smart battery system in collaboration with a French partner.
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With a reported flight endurance of up to one hour and an operational range of 10 km, the Sky Watcher can carry a payload of up to 3 kg, including an onboard camera. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Designed to maximize tactical responsiveness, the Sky Watcher features a compact and foldable architecture, allowing it to be transported in a backpack and deployed within minutes. It is primarily intended for special forces operating in dynamic, complex, or degraded environments, where rapid deployment and operational flexibility are essential. With a reported flight endurance of up to one hour and an operational range of 10 km, the Sky Watcher can carry a payload of up to 3 kg, including an onboard camera. This configuration allows for the integration of day/night electro-optical sensors, SIGINT modules, a projector, a loudspeaker, or a LIDAR system for mapping or obstacle detection. The drone can also be equipped with the DLC, a cartridge release device capable of deploying up to four 40 or 56 mm grenades, suited for marking missions, non-lethal neutralization, or area dispersal.
Milton Innovation’s R&D teams designed the system from the outset with a focus on maximum modularity to meet evolving military needs. The chassis has been resized, motors have been optimized, and the electronics have been miniaturized to support advanced functionalities within a reduced footprint. The Sky Watcher is equipped with MILTON GNSS, a hardened navigation system designed to resist jamming and ensure reliable positioning in contested environments. The platform complies with the C5 category under European drone regulations and includes a parachute for safe recovery in the event of a malfunction or emergency landing. Its discreet and rugged design allows it to operate in urban, forested, or mountainous terrains while maintaining the flight stability and trajectory precision required for mission success.
The Sky Watcher is operated through one of the ground control stations from the Milton GCS series, also used for the company’s other platforms such as the Sky Keeper and Long Range Observer. These stations, tested in operational contexts for over three years, are based on an open architecture, feature a unified interface, and include an integrated simulator for training purposes. They also support swarm control, enabling the simultaneous coordination of multiple unmanned systems. The ultra-compact version of the control station, designed as a pocket-sized tablet, has also benefited from miniaturization efforts, particularly with the integration of direct line-of-sight transmission antennas.
Entirely designed and manufactured in France, the Sky Watcher marks a strategic move by Milton Innovation into the field of compact tactical drones for defense applications. Building on the historical expertise of the Etienne Lacroix Group in pyrotechnics and protective systems, the company now directs part of its development toward modular robotic solutions aligned with current operational requirements. Aimed at equipping special forces, rapid intervention units, and internal security actors, the Sky Watcher is positioned to operate in asymmetric and hybrid conflict zones, as well as in surveillance missions over sensitive areas. Its development in coordination with entities from both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Armed Forces reflects a clear effort to align with concrete operational needs. The future proliferation of this platform could support broader changes in ISR capabilities and lightweight tactical support, where responsiveness, compactness, and resilience are increasingly decisive factors.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
During the SOFINS exhibition dedicated to special forces and defense innovation, Milton Innovation, a subsidiary of the Etienne Lacroix Group and a new member of GICAT, unveiled the prototype of its miniaturized drone, the Sky Watcher. Initially presented in its first configuration at Eurosatory in June 2024, this next-generation drone has since undergone a comprehensive redesign, including modifications to its structural layout, electronic components, propulsion system, and general architecture, with the aim of enhancing compactness, robustness, and modularity. This reengineering work also includes the integration of miniaturized GNSS antennas and sensors, as well as the development of a smart battery system in collaboration with a French partner.
With a reported flight endurance of up to one hour and an operational range of 10 km, the Sky Watcher can carry a payload of up to 3 kg, including an onboard camera. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Designed to maximize tactical responsiveness, the Sky Watcher features a compact and foldable architecture, allowing it to be transported in a backpack and deployed within minutes. It is primarily intended for special forces operating in dynamic, complex, or degraded environments, where rapid deployment and operational flexibility are essential. With a reported flight endurance of up to one hour and an operational range of 10 km, the Sky Watcher can carry a payload of up to 3 kg, including an onboard camera.
This configuration allows for the integration of day/night electro-optical sensors, SIGINT modules, a projector, a loudspeaker, or a LIDAR system for mapping or obstacle detection. The drone can also be equipped with the DLC, a cartridge release device capable of deploying up to four 40 or 56 mm grenades, suited for marking missions, non-lethal neutralization, or area dispersal.
Milton Innovation’s R&D teams designed the system from the outset with a focus on maximum modularity to meet evolving military needs. The chassis has been resized, motors have been optimized, and the electronics have been miniaturized to support advanced functionalities within a reduced footprint. The Sky Watcher is equipped with MILTON GNSS, a hardened navigation system designed to resist jamming and ensure reliable positioning in contested environments. The platform complies with the C5 category under European drone regulations and includes a parachute for safe recovery in the event of a malfunction or emergency landing. Its discreet and rugged design allows it to operate in urban, forested, or mountainous terrains while maintaining the flight stability and trajectory precision required for mission success.
The Sky Watcher is operated through one of the ground control stations from the Milton GCS series, also used for the company’s other platforms such as the Sky Keeper and Long Range Observer. These stations, tested in operational contexts for over three years, are based on an open architecture, feature a unified interface, and include an integrated simulator for training purposes. They also support swarm control, enabling the simultaneous coordination of multiple unmanned systems. The ultra-compact version of the control station, designed as a pocket-sized tablet, has also benefited from miniaturization efforts, particularly with the integration of direct line-of-sight transmission antennas.
Entirely designed and manufactured in France, the Sky Watcher marks a strategic move by Milton Innovation into the field of compact tactical drones for defense applications. Building on the historical expertise of the Etienne Lacroix Group in pyrotechnics and protective systems, the company now directs part of its development toward modular robotic solutions aligned with current operational requirements. Aimed at equipping special forces, rapid intervention units, and internal security actors, the Sky Watcher is positioned to operate in asymmetric and hybrid conflict zones, as well as in surveillance missions over sensitive areas.
Its development in coordination with entities from both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Armed Forces reflects a clear effort to align with concrete operational needs. The future proliferation of this platform could support broader changes in ISR capabilities and lightweight tactical support, where responsiveness, compactness, and resilience are increasingly decisive factors.
