French Navy frigates will operate Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) featuring Naval Group software under the terms of a new deal struck with French procurement agency the DGA.
As per a recent press statement, French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu has signed a framework agreement with Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters and Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Naval Group for the future acquisition of the Systèmes de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM: uncrewed aerial systems for the Navy).
Each SDAM comprises both the Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) operated with Naval Group’s Steeris Mission System; the latter firm will also take charge of integrating the SDAMs onto the frigates.
M. Even described the deal as “a key milestone” for the UAS programme, commenting: “With our partners we have demonstrated the VSR700’s capabilities at sea with multiple demonstrations, including one on board a French Navy frigate.”
He added. “We are building a local and sovereign UAS ecosystem that will benefit both our home nations and our partners across the globe… a truly versatile system that could be used in many different environments.”
Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, said: “This signature is a testimony to the teamwork achieved with our partners and to Naval Group’s expertise in integrating all types of drones on board surface ships to improve the operational capabilities of our client navies.”
While the deal struck with the DGA will see intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) versions of the drones delivered to the French Navy, the platforms can be equipped for a variety of mission types; an “armed scout” version is currently on display at the Paris Air Show.
The ISR variant includes a radar, an electro-optical system and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. The VSR700 platform can take off and land automatically, even in rough sea conditions, and has a reported endurance of more than eight hours.
- You can read more details on the Airbus website
