As new threat looms, French Army begins training eagles to catch drones

MONT-DE-MARSAN, FRANCE – Faced with the risk of drones being used to snoop or carry out attacks on French soil, the air force is showing its claws. At Mont-de-Marsan in southwestern France a quartet of fearsome golden eagles is being trained to take out unmanned aircraft in mid-flight. The roar of a departing Rafale fighter jet gives way to the buzz of a drone lifting into the air on a runway at the air base, some 130 km (80 miles) south of Bordeaux. Suddenly, a loud squawk fills the air as a beady-eyed eagle bears down at breakneck speed from a control tower 200 meters (about 220 yards) away. In about 20 seconds the raptor has the drone between its talons, then pins it to the ground and covers it with its broad brown wings.