Marine Nationale orders VSR700 UAS
On 14 January 2026, Airbus announced that the Direction générale de l’Armement (DGA, French General Directorate of Armaments) had awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters for the production of six VSR700 unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The VSR700 is a French-designed UAS with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, intended for operation from the decks of naval surface ships. It forms part of the wider SDAM programme (Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine – Naval Airborne Drone System), which aims to provide the Marine Nationale (French Navy) with enhanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and additional capabilities from sea-based platforms.
The VSR700 design is derived from the Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, adapted for unmanned operation. Development is led by Airbus Helicopters, with systems integration carried out by Naval Group.
The systems will be delivered in an ISR configuration, including a surveillance radar, an electro-optical sensor suite, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. Naval Group will be responsible for integrating the VSR700 into ship architectures and ensuring connectivity with onboard combat systems.
Credit photo: Airbus