France has moved to formalize its shipborne uncrewed aerial capability after the country’s defense procurement agency awarded Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group a production contract for six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems for the French Navy. The agreement marks the transition of the VSR700 from a test and demonstration platform into full serial production.
Under the contract, the rotary-wing drones will be delivered in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) configuration, significantly enhancing the Navy’s beyond-line-of-sight surveillance and target identification capabilities. The VSR700 systems are expected to become operational by 2028, extending situational awareness for French surface combatants.
Naval Group will oversee the integration of the VSR700 into warship architectures, ensuring seamless interoperability with onboard combat systems via the Steeris Mission System. The platform is derived from Hélicoptères Guimbal’s Cabri G2 light helicopter and was developed under the French Navy’s SDAM (Système de Drone Aérien de la Marine) program in close cooperation with Naval Group.
According to Airbus, the VSR700 and its mission system have undergone extensive testing in both land-based and maritime environments. The ISR variant is equipped with a surveillance radar, electro-optical sensors, and an Automatic Identification System receiver, offering up to 10 hours of endurance and autonomous vertical take-off and landing. In addition to military missions, the system supports search and rescue, disaster response, and firefighting, while HTeaming manned-uncrewed teaming allows it to operate alongside crewed helicopters to extend reach and reduce operational risk.
