The new Sarisa II rocket-armed drone made by Greek company SAS Technology has completed successfully a three-day live-fire test and is certifiably ready for battle, according to an Army Recognition Group report.
The testing of the Sarisa II (also known as SRS-2A) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) took place at the Litochoro Firing Range from February 10 to 12. The tests were part of the certification process for the SRS-2A, confirming its capability to deploy both unguided and laser-guided 70mm (2.75-inch) rockets from Thales Belgium.
The trials were conducted under the supervision of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense, in collaboration with Thales Belgium and Hellenic Defense Systems (HDS), whose technical support contributed to the program.
Three days of testing
On February 10, testing focused on Sarisa II’s ability to launch unguided rockets while maintaining flight stability. The UCAV fired a 70mm unguided rocket (UGR) while hovering, in a demonstration of control under the effects of rocket jet blast. The rocket followed the correct trajectory, confirming the functionality of optical sighting methods.
On February 11, the new Greek drone was tested with the FZ275 laser-guided rocket (LGR) from Thales. The UCAV launched the rocket at a 5×5-meter target with a central 2×2-meter section. The impact was recorded with a deviation of 0.2 meters, confirming a circular error probable (CEP) of less than one meter. Due to range constraints and Weapon Danger Area (WDA) limitations, the test was conducted at 1,700 meters, close to the weapon’s minimum operational range.
The FZ275 LGR is designed for engagement distances between 3 and 5 kilometers, with a maximum reach of 7 kilometers. The test conditions required launching the rocket at close range, where it reached supersonic speeds and deployed its guidance fins after 400 meters. The SRS-2A’s autonomous flight control system executed the firing sequence without manual operator input.
On February 12, a live demonstration was held in the presence of military officials and personnel from the Hellenic Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Forces, as well as international delegations. The SRS-2A launched a laser-guided FZ275 rocket from an altitude of 450 meters above sea level, maintaining stability and achieving a CEP of less than one meter.
Additionally, the Hellenic Special Forces’ UCAV Empusa EMPX6T performed precision grenade drops using both training and live grenades in sequential and simultaneous release modes.
Greece-Belgium cooperation
The FZ275 LGR, developed by Thales Belgium, is a semi-active laser (SAL) guided rocket designed to bridge the gap between unguided rockets and long-range missiles. Compatible with the S.A.S. Sarisa II Greek drone it offers targeting precision while reducing collateral damage. The rocket has a range of 1,500 to 7,000 meters, with a CEP of less than one meter at 6 kilometers.
The rocket can engage ground vehicles, air defense installations, radar sites, communication infrastructure, aircraft on the ground, small ships and patrol boats, soft bunkers, and snipers. The FZ275 LGR is compatible with standard 2.75-inch rocket launchers and requires minimal integration work. It has various warhead configurations, including a high-explosive variant with a lethal radius of 9 meters and penetration capability against 6mm steel plates.
The FZ275 LGR features semi-active laser guidance technology with Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) capabilities. It can receive laser targeting data from sources such as ground-based designators, airborne platforms, and remote operators. The rocket can be fired from any standard FZ rocket launcher, and Thales Belgium has developed smart rocket launchers, including the FZ606 for helicopters and the FZ800 for aircraft, which enable bidirectional communication and in-flight laser code implementation.