Military balloons were first used by the French at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794 for successful reconnaissance observations of their enemy, Austria, when ‘L’Entreprenant’ was used by French Revolutionary troops to watch the movements of the enemy. This was after France’s declaration of war on Austria in April 1792, during the French Revolutionary Wars of 1792–1801.

These reconnaissance missions were key to in helping the French ultimately win their war with Austria.