DCNS and Airbus Helicopters Partner to Create VTOL UAS for French Navy
The French navy will receive a new vertical take-off and landing UAS, thanks to a partnership between DCNS and Airbus Helicopters.
The two companies will combine to design and create a new VTOL UAS for the French navy’s Système de Drones Aériens de la Marine (SDAM) program.
“This partnership will see Airbus Helicopters pool its expertise in vertical flight and autonomous flight technologies with the skills DCNS possesses in naval combat systems, allowing us to respond to the emerging needs of our customers,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury.
DCNS CEO Hervé Guillou added, “We will continue to innovate in these areas and give drones the capability to perform increasingly complex missions over greater distances and timeframes in an interoperable environment with increased digitalization of resources.”
Airbus will create the UAS, the VSR700 drone, which is based on the Cabri G2 helicopter. The company will also provide technologies for the UAS so that it can conduct its assigned missions, which could include data liaison, payload and a see and avoid capability to integrate other UAS into the airspace.
DCNS will provide technology and solutions for the UAS, including the specification and validation of payloads, mission data links, and the mission system for the UAS so that it is capable of providing real-time management of its operations.
