The French Navy to Become First Operator of Airbus’ Aliaca VTOL

The French Navy is set to become the world’s first operational user of Airbus Helicopters’ Aliaca vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system, marking a significant step forward in naval drone operations. The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has placed an order for a new VTOL-configured version of the SMDM (Système de Mini-Drones de la Marine) through Airbus Helicopters’ subsidiary, Survey Copter, further strengthening France’s position at the forefront of maritime uncrewed aviation.

Since 2022, the DGA has ordered a total of 34 Aliaca systems for the French Navy. The latest amendment to the contract introduces the VTOL variant, with deliveries scheduled to begin in May 2026 following a comprehensive qualification campaign. This move reflects both operational experience gained with the existing system and the Navy’s requirement for greater flexibility in increasingly complex maritime environments.

Airbus Helicopters has emphasised the maturity of the Aliaca programme and its proven operational record. Christophe Canguilhem, Aliaca programme director at Airbus Helicopters, highlighted the significance of the milestone. He noted that the French Navy has successfully operated Aliaca from ships and land bases for several years, demonstrating the system’s full operational potential. The introduction of the VTOL configuration, he said, will provide even greater operational freedom while confirming that the solution is now ready for wider international customers.

The Aliaca VTOL is the result of a rapid development programme, leveraging an already proven platform. Although unveiled publicly in April 2025, the system was developed in less than a year, with land and sea trials conducted from late 2024 through 2025. This accelerated timeline underlines Airbus Helicopters’ ability to adapt existing designs to meet emerging operational requirements without compromising performance or reliability.

Technically, the Aliaca VTOL combines the strengths of both rotary-wing and fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft. Equipped with four vertical lift propellers, the drone can take off and land vertically from confined spaces, such as ship decks, while transitioning to fixed-wing propulsion for the mission phase. This hybrid approach enables efficient cruise performance while eliminating the need for launch and recovery equipment.

The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg, a wingspan of 3.5 metres and a length of 2.1 metres. It offers an endurance of up to two hours and an operational range of 50 km, making it well-suited for tactical maritime missions. The payload includes an electro-optical/infrared sensor mounted on a high-performance gyro-stabilised turret, providing day-and-night surveillance capability. In addition, the system features an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, enabling it to identify and track ships over distances of several hundred kilometres, a key capability for maritime domain awareness.

One of the major advantages of the VTOL evolution is its reduced logistical footprint. By removing the need for dedicated launch-and-recovery systems, deployment is faster and simpler, particularly from smaller vessels. Importantly, the new configuration retains the same ground control station as the existing fixed-wing version, ensuring continuity for operators and reducing training and support requirements. The ground station is already well regarded within the French Navy for its intuitive interface and ease of use.

Operationally, the SMDM has been qualified by the DGA and has been in service since 2022, often described as the French Navy’s “remote binoculars”. It currently equips high-sea patrol vessels (PHM), overseas patrol vessels (POM) and surveillance frigates. Since mid-2023, Aliaca systems have also been deployed from the French coastline to support search and rescue operations in the English Channel, further demonstrating their versatility beyond shipborne roles.

The introduction of the VTOL version will allow the system to be operated from a wider range of naval platforms. Missions will include tactical situational awareness, countering illegal activities, maritime traffic monitoring, coastal surveillance, search and rescue, and the detection of suspicious behaviour at sea. Looking ahead, the French Navy also plans to operate the system from land bases as part of an integrated coastal surveillance network.

The new VTOL-configured SMDM is scheduled to enter formal DGA qualification in early 2026, covering both land and sea trials, before being declared fully operational. Meanwhile, the existing fixed-wing version will remain in service aboard equipped vessels and is expected to be supported and maintained in operational condition for at least the next seven years.