Reconnaissance drone Falke: first Bundeswehr operators complete training at Quantum Systems

At the Munster training area, the first operators have completed their two-week training on Falke, the new reconnaissance drone of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces). Co-CEO Sven Kruck announced this on LinkedIn – for Quantum Systems the next milestone with the Bundeswehr.

Back in autumn 2023, the framework contract for the procurement of the Vector drone system was signed, which the Bundeswehr designates Falke. The name stands for “remotely operated reconnaissance system, airborne, short range”. The delivery of 14 systems was agreed at the time.

On LinkedIn, Kruck writes: “Quantum Systems is increasing the operational readiness of the troops — next year Falke will be fully integrated into the Army reconnaissance corps. With this system, combat-proven in Ukraine (-> Latest news from the war in Ukraine), the Zeitenwende is also advancing for the Bundeswehr.”

Two-stage training on the reconnaissance drone

At the end of last year, the Bundeswehr Aviation Office (LufABw) additionally certified the company as a training establishment for the system. According to the report at the time, training is divided into two stages: first, new drone pilots without prior experience are trained; then experienced drone pilots are trained as instructors in a train-the-trainer programme. With this stage, the LufABw is breaking new ground in training – the aim is to scale up the number of drone pilots available in the armed forces more quickly. The Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) take the same approach to the training of their drone operators.

Training also newly relies on preparatory and accompanying simulator training. This currently accounts for around 20 per cent; in future it could be up to 80 per cent.