France Finalizes Framework Agreement for Airbus VSR700 Program Development
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has recently signed a significant framework agreement with Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the future acquisition of Systèmes de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM), a naval uncrewed aerial system (UAS) programme. This move marks a key milestone for the VSR700 programme and underscores France's commitment to developing a sovereign European ecosystem for autonomous defence technologies.
The VSR700, a medium-sized rotary-wing drone, is designed specifically for naval operations. Its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities make it ideal for launching from and recovering on navy vessels, even in rough sea conditions.
Key capabilities of the VSR700 include automatic takeoff and landing in challenging maritime environments, seamless integration with the Steeris Mission System, a proven naval combat system platform, and the ability to carry up to three sensors, such as radar, electro-optical systems, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. These features enable the drone to perform various missions, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, and anti-submarine detection.
The VSR700 can fly for over eight hours on a single mission, providing persistent surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities essential for naval situational awareness and decision-making. Furthermore, the system is designed for interoperability with other crewed and uncrewed assets, enhancing its role in multinational naval operations.
The agreement also opens up cooperation possibilities with other nations via government-to-government agreements. Partner nations can order the VSR700 system in a configuration similar to the one selected for the French Navy. The VSR700s to be delivered to the French Navy will be equipped for surveillance and intelligence missions.
Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, described the agreement as a testament to the teamwork achieved with partners and Naval Group's expertise in integrating drones onto surface ships. Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, also highlighted the agreement as a key milestone for the VSR700 program.
The SDAM programme aims to build a local and sovereign UAS ecosystem, benefiting both home nations and partners worldwide. The VSR700, with its versatility and advanced capabilities, is set to play a crucial role in this endeavour, demonstrating its capabilities at sea and on board French Navy frigates.
The VSR700's versatility is evident, as shown by the armed scout version displayed at the Paris Air Show. This configuration includes a radar, an electro-optical system, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, showcasing the drone's adaptability to various environments and missions.
In summary, the VSR700 UAS is a highly capable naval drone that combines advanced autonomous operation in harsh sea environments with deep integration into naval combat systems, offering long-endurance, multi-sensor surveillance and operational versatility to modern frigates, particularly within the French Navy.
The VSR700, a versatile naval unmanned aerial system (UAS), is set to contribute not only to France's development of a sovereign European ecosystem for autonomous defense technologies, but also to the global aerospace industry, as its adaptability to various environments and missions showcases its potential for collaboration with other nations. This advanced technology, with its capabilities in finance-backed research and development, could revolutionize the industry, providingfinancial gains and security enhancements for partner nations involved in the program.
