During the 29th edition of Eurosatory 2026, the international defense industry trade show organized by Coges Events and held June 15-19 of this year in Paris-Nord Villepinte near Paris, German company Diehl Defence is presenting its new Libelle (German for “Dragonfly”) loitering munition.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The German manufacturer first announced work on the Libelle in fall 2021. The loitering munition concept was unveiled at that time, and in early 2023 trade press reports indicated that a functioning weapon system had been presented to potential customers. In subsequent years it was shown at further defense trade shows, such as IDEX 2025.
According to Diehl Defence, the production model of the Libelle will be available in two variants: a smaller version for infantry soldiers (weighing less than 13 kg for backpack transport) and a larger one for vehicle mounting. Its layout is unusual: two coaxial counter-rotating propellers and a compact, modular design divided into three main sections.
The upper section houses the electric propulsion system, designed to ensure efficient and quiet operation. The middle section contains the electronics and power module along with a fiber-optic spool, which enables an alternative control link independent of radio signals (up to several kilometers). The lower section contains the warhead and targeting sensors, whose optimized arrangement ensures a high probability of hit and target discrimination.
The Libelle is intended to have a range of up to 10 km, controlled via a data link resistant to jamming and electronic warfare (EW), with an independent enemy detection system. The system can ensure that the munition loiters over a designated area and autonomously identifies high-value targets, increasing battlefield situational awareness while minimizing risk to friendly personnel.
The shaped-charge EFP warhead it carries is intended to be based on the DM 702 SMArt 155 (Suchzünder Munition für die Artillerie) precision munition. It is meant to use a top-attack mode to strike armored targets from above the turret/hull roof, where vehicle armor offers the lowest protection factor.
The control interface was designed for ease of use, operating through a dedicated app compatible with standard devices such as tablets, eliminating the need for specialized ground control stations.