The French Navy will acquire six Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and will use them for ISR missions from 2028.
As per a recent press statement, French procurement agency the DGA has agreed a deal with Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the production of six UAS.
The drones will be delivered in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) configuration, with Naval Group responsible for integration of the UAS into the fleet’s combat systems.
The UAS, which are based on the crewed Cabri G2 from Hélicoptères Guimbal, have undergone an extensive programme of tests with the French Navy and DGA under the SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme.
Airbus has also previously demonstrated the MUM-T (manned-unmanned teaming) capabilities of the VSR700 via its HTeaming system.
The diesel-powered dual-use VTOL rotary-wing drone can also be used for logistics and armed scout missions, and has an eight-hour flight endurance when deployed with all of its ISR sensors.
Measuring just over six metres with a 7.2m main rotor diameter, it has a maximum speed of about 100 knots (115mph) and an operational ceiling of almost 20,000 feet.
- You can read more details on the Airbus website