France’s defense procurement agency has awarded Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group a production contract for six shipborne VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems to equip the French Navy.
The contract moves the VSR700 from a demonstrator and test asset into serial production, extending surface vessels’ beyond-horizon surveillance and identification capabilities.
The rotary-wing systems will be delivered in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) configuration and are scheduled to become operational by 2028.
Naval Group will be responsible for integrating the platforms into the warships’ overall architecture and ensuring interoperability with the combat system through the Steeris Mission System.
Commenting on the award, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said the decision marked the next phase of the program.
“We are honoured that the French Ministry for the Armed Forces has decided to launch serial production of the VSR700 for France and future export customers, within the framework of the agreement signed at the Paris Air Show in 2025,” he said.
“To ensure the success of this next chapter, we have established a new industrial setup specifically designed for serial production. This structure allows us to adapt to the specificities of the UAS market and scale efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of aeronautical safety and performance,” he added.
VSR700 Uncrewed Aerial System
The dual-use uncrewed aerial system is derived from Hélicoptères Guimbal’s crewed Cabri G2 platform.
The naval variant was developed and tested under the French Navy’s SDAM (Système de Drone Aérien de la Marine) program in cooperation with Naval Group.
According to Airbus, the VSR700 and its mission system have undergone extensive testing in both land-based and maritime environments.
Features and Roles
In its ISR configuration, the VSR700 is equipped with a surveillance radar, an electro-optical sensor suite, and an Automatic Identification System receiver.
With an endurance of up to 10 hours and autonomous vertical take-off and landing capability, the system provides a broader and more detailed tactical picture, enhanced search and rescue capability, and a highly autonomous platform suited for operations in high-threat environments.
Beyond military applications, the VSR700 can also be employed for civil missions such as firefighting and disaster relief.
Airbus has additionally demonstrated the system’s ability to operate alongside crewed helicopters using its HTeaming solution, enabling manned-unmanned teaming to extend operational reach while reducing risk to aircrews.
