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PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Paris, Île-de-France, France, 2025/06/19 - Each SDAM will feature an Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial system (UAS), operated with Naval Group's Steeris® Mission System - Airbus.com / Naval-Group.com.
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On 17 June 2025, Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces has signed a framework agreement with Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters and Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Naval Group, for the acquisition of uncrewed aerial systems for the Navy (Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine SDAM) and their integration onboard French Navy frigates.
Each SDAM will feature an Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) (airbus.com), operated with Naval Group's Steeris® Mission System. Naval Group is also responsible for integrating the SDAMs onto French Navy frigates. The VSR700 is a versatile system that can be used in many different environments as evidenced by the armed scout version on display at the Paris Air Show. As a result of 15 years of R&D experimentation and development, Steeris® MS is a sea proven solution fitted for naval combat system integration.
“This framework agreement is a key milestone for the VSR700 programme,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “With our partners we have demonstrated the VSR700’s capabilities at sea with multiple demonstrations including one on board a French Navy frigate,” he added.
“This signature is a testimony to the teamwork achieved with our partners and to Naval Group’s expertise in integrating all types of drones onboard surface ships to improve the operational capabilities of our client navies” said Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group. The framework agreement lays the groundwork for inclusion of further partner nations into the programme. Other nations across the world have been officially invited by the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) to join the programme. Through a government to government contract they will be able to order the VSR700 in a configuration similar to the one selected by the DGA for the French Navy.
The serial VSR700 that will be delivered to the French Navy will be equipped for Surveillance and Intelligence missions, like the VSR700 prototypes that have been tested onboard the FREMM class frigate La Provence in October 2023. This configuration includes a radar, an electro-optical system and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.
The VSR700 has been developed to both take off and land automatically from a navy vessel in rough sea conditions, in a dense electromagnetic environment while carrying three sensors and flying for more than eight hours.
About Naval Group
As an international naval defence player, Naval Group is a partner for countries seeking to maintain control of their maritime sovereignty. Naval Group (naval-group.com) develops innovative solutions to meet its customers’ requirements. The group is present throughout the entire life cycle of vessels. It designs, produces, equips, integrates, supports and upgrades submarines and surface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, right up to the final phases of deconstruction and dismantling. Naval Group’s unique know-how in autonomous systems, underwater weapons and drones place it in pole position to become European leader in the sector. As a high-tech company, it draws on its outstanding expertise, unique design and production resources and ability to establish strategic partnerships, in particular within the framework of transfers of technology. It also provides shipyard and naval base services. Ever mindful of the issues concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR), Naval Group is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. Located on five continents, the group generates revenue of 4.355 billion euros and has 16,722 employees (Full-Time Equivalent average annual workforce - figures as on 31 December 2024).
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