CBRN Drone and Tactical Smartwatch: When Chemical Detection Reaches the Operator's Wrist.
Chemical threats don’t announce themselves. They spread within seconds — invisible and lethal. Detecting, mapping and alerting in real time, without exposing a single operator to danger, has become one of the most critical technological challenges facing defense forces, security services and sensitive industrial sites. This is precisely what the following joint demonstration between four French defense innovation leaders achieves: PROENGIN, ARDPI Air & Security, Drone Volt and FAB’ONE | KAPTREK.
In the demonstration video below, a complete chemical risk management ecosystem is showcased for the first time: a drone equipped with a chemical gas detection sensor surveys a potentially contaminated area, streams live data to a ground command post, which instantly redistributes alerts and threat maps to KAPTREK PRO PILOT tactical smartwatches worn by field operators.
The CBRN Threat: A Growing Risk for Defense Forces and Industrial Sites.
CBRN threats (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) represent one of the most feared risks across defense, law enforcement and industrial safety contexts. A chemical leak at an industrial facility, a chemical warfare agent attack, or an incident at a hazardous site: scenarios are varied and consequences potentially catastrophic.
In these situations, response time is everything. Yet traditional chemical detection solutions still too often require sending operators in close proximity to the hazard zone to collect samples or conduct field analyses — a time-consuming, resource-intensive and dangerous approach.
The emergence of military and professional drones as sensor platforms has fundamentally changed the equation. Organizations such as NATO and France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) are now integrating CBRN drone capabilities into operational doctrines. France’s dedicated CBRNe programme reflects the growing strategic importance of these technologies.
Four Actors Building a 100% French CBRN Detection Ecosystem.
This demonstration brings together four French companies, each contributing an essential technology building block to the CBRN detection and alerting chain.
PROENGIN: The Reference Sensor for Chemical Agent Detection
PROENGIN is a globally recognized French manufacturer of chemical warfare agent detectors. Their AP4C+ sensor (and its variants AP4C-F, AP4C-V) is capable of detecting in real time nerve agents (G and V series), blister agents (mustard gas, lewisite), blood agents and a wide range of toxic industrial chemicals.
Certified and deployed by numerous armed forces worldwide, the AP4C+ uses flame photometric detection (FPD) technology, renowned for its extreme sensitivity, resistance to harsh environments and very low false alarm rate. Its drone integration unlocks new operational capabilities: surveying contaminated areas from the air, with zero direct human exposure.
ARDPI Air & Security: Air-to-Ground Communication at the Heart of the System
ARDPI Air & Security provides the critical link in the chain: data transmission between the drone and ground operators. Specializing in communication systems for tactical and military drones, ARDPI develops data link solutions capable of transmitting live video feeds, sensor data and location information in real time, even in degraded or jammed environments.
The air-to-ground link developed by ARDPI continuously streams AP4C+ sensor readings from the drone to a ground Command & Control (C2) post, enabling dynamic mapping of the spread and intensity of the chemical threat.
Drone Volt — KOBRA: The Rugged Aerial Platform
Drone Volt is a French publicly listed manufacturer of professional and tactical drones. Their KOBRA drone is a hardened aerial platform designed for the most demanding environments. Capable of carrying varied payloads — thermal cameras, chemical sensors, communication equipment — the KOBRA is operated by security and defense forces in multiple countries.
In this demonstration, the KOBRA carries the PROENGIN AP4C+ sensor and ARDPI communication module, forming a complete airborne CBRN reconnaissance system. For full operational specifications, see the Drone Volt KOBRA product page.
FAB'ONE | KAPTREK PRO PILOT: Field Data, Directly on the Wrist
This is where KAPTREK PRO PILOT enters — the sovereign tactical smartwatch developed by FAB’ONE, a French startup based in Gevry, Jura. As the final link in the value chain, KAPTREK PRO PILOT receives real-time CBRN alerts and threat mapping data generated by the drone system and displays them directly on its 2.4-inch touchscreen, worn on the wrist of each field operator.
The Demonstration Video: The Connected CBRN Ecosystem in Action
Watch the full demonstration of this integrated chemical detection and alerting system below. In just a few minutes, you’ll see how all four technologies combine to create a fully connected CBRN monitoring chain — from the air to the wrist.
Video : Joint demonstration — PROENGIN × ARDPI Air & Security × Drone Volt × FAB’ONE | KAPTREK — CBRN drone detection with real-time display on KAPTREK PRO PILOT tactical smartwatch.
How Does the Connected CBRN Detection Chain Work?
This ecosystem operates on a three-tier architecture, from the airborne sensor to the operator’s wrist.
Tier 1 — Aerial Detection: The KOBRA Drone and AP4C+ Sensor
The Drone Volt KOBRA takes off and surveys the suspected contamination zone. The PROENGIN AP4C+, mounted under the drone, continuously analyzes ambient air for chemical agents. Upon detection, the sensor generates an alert with concentration data and the identity of the detected agent.
No operator is exposed. The drone flies ahead, maps the threat and streams data in real time.
Tier 2 — Ground Transmission and Mapping: The ARDPI C2 Post
The ARDPI communication module on board the drone continuously transmits sensor data to the ground command post. The C2 aggregates this geolocated information to build a dynamic map of the chemical threat: contaminated zones, concentration gradient, direction of toxic cloud propagation.
This map becomes the central decision-making tool for the mission commander — enabling real-time adjustment of safety perimeters, approach routes and evacuation plans.
Tier 3 — Field Display: The KAPTREK PRO PILOT Tactical Smartwatch
CBRN alerts and mapping data generated by the C2 are immediately pushed to the KAPTREK PRO PILOT tactical smartwatches worn by each field operator. On the 2.4-inch screen — sunlight-readable and operable with gloves — each operator receives:
- Real-time CBRN alerts with identification of the detected chemical agent
- Threat mapping overlaid on their GPS position
- Teammate locations via Blue Force Tracking
- Command instructions transmitted from the command post
KAPTREK PRO PILOT is a 100% sovereign wearable platform, developed, designed and manufactured in France by FAB’ONE. It runs on a proprietary OS (Linux K-OS), with no dependency on Google, Android or any third-party operating system. Its ruggedness is certified IP67 (waterproofing) and IK08 (shock resistance), with a 24-hour battery life under continuous full operation.
Target Markets: Defense, Security, Industry and Critical Infrastructure
This connected CBRN detection system addresses a broad spectrum of professional users.
Armed Forces and Special Operations Forces
CBRN units within armed forces are the primary beneficiaries of this technology. In high-intensity conflict or peacekeeping operations, the ability to rapidly detect chemical agents without exposing soldiers is a decisive tactical advantage. France’s Army Engineering School has integrated CBRN doctrine into its training curricula for several years.
Law Enforcement and Civil Protection
National Gendarmerie, police forces, EOD and decontamination units, civil security services: all may be called upon to respond to chemical incidents. Whether facing a chemical weapon attack or an industrial accident, the ability to assess the situation from the air and inform ground teams in real time is a major operational asset.
SEVESO Industrial Sites and Sensitive Facilities
SEVESO-classified facilities in Europe — petrochemical plants, chemical factories, gas depots — are subject to strict requirements for leak detection and personnel alerting. An integrated drone-C2-connected smartwatch system directly addresses these regulatory obligations while enhancing response team safety.
Large-Scale Event Security
Dans le contexte de la sécurisation de grands événements publics (sommets internationaux, compétitions sportives, rassemblements de masse), la menace d’une attaque chimique est prise au sérieux par les services de sécurité. Un dispositif de surveillance aérienne NRBC connecté aux équipes de sécurité au sol constitue une réponse opérationnelle adaptée.
KAPTREK PRO PILOT: The Tactical Smartwatch at the Core of CBRNe Integration.
KAPTREK PRO PILOT’s strength within this ecosystem lies in its open, modular architecture. The platform is designed to natively integrate with existing tactical information systems (BMS, C2, C4ISR) via standard connectivity protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Radio).
Key technical specifications for CBRN applications:
- 2.4-inch touchscreen: sunlight-readable, glove-operable
- Maximum ruggedness: IP67, IK08, operating range -20°C to +50°C
- 24-hour battery life: all features running simultaneously
- Multi-constellation GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo for precise positioning
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.1
- Sovereign OS: Linux K-OS, no GAFAM dependency
- French manufacturing: 100% designed, developed and built in France
The integration of data from external connected sensors (such as the PROENGIN AP4C+) via the ARDPI C2 perfectly illustrates KAPTREK’s core philosophy: aggregating critical field information and delivering it directly to the operator — frictionlessly and without delay.
A Collaboration That Foreshadows the Connected Defense of Tomorrow.
This joint demonstration between PROENGIN, ARDPI, Drone Volt and FAB’ONE | KAPTREK is more than a technical achievement. It illustrates a vision of connected defense and security that is taking shape in France: sovereign actors, capable of building integrated, interoperable and fully mastered technology ecosystems.
At a time when chemical and CBRN threats are receiving growing attention within the Atlantic Alliance and European general staffs, having a sovereign detection and alerting chain — from sensor to tactical smartwatch — represents a major strategic advantage for France and its partners.
KAPTREK PRO PILOT will be present at major upcoming defense exhibitions: Eurosatory, SOFINS, Milipol and Enforce Tac.
To discover the full capabilities of the solution and arrange a demonstration, contact the FAB’ONE | KAPTREK team.
Do you want to learn more about KAPTREK PRO PILOT solutions? Discover our other articles about soldier connectivity or futur soldier.