French Air Force Training Eagles for Counter-UAV Operations

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February 27, 2017 | Originally published by Date Line: February 27 on

In its fight to prevent future terrorist attacks on its soil, France has found an unlikely ally: the royal eagle.

The French Air Force is currently training birds of prey to take down remote-controlled objects following reports that ISIS recruits are weaponizing consumer markets drones to carry out attacks against enemy fighters.

The air force first acquired four royal eagles eggs last spring and began training them in a base in south west France after they reached adult size.

The birds were placed on top of drones when they were still in their eggshells and kept there during the early stages of feeding. Once they were fit to fly, the royal eagles were taken to a field to be trained to intercept airborne drones.