Airbus Helicopters, in collaboration with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), has successfully conducted the first operational test of the unmanned aerial system (UAS) VSR700 from a ship at sea. The VSR700, an autonomous drone, underwent a series of 80 fully autonomous take-offs and landings in early May 2023 from a civil vessel equipped with a helicopter deck off the coast of Brittany, France.
The recent test campaign builds upon two previous trial series conducted with the DGA in late 2022 and early 2023 at the Levant Island test center in southern France. During these trials, the SDAM prototype showcased its ability to operate effectively in maritime environments. The aircraft’s handling qualities, sensor capabilities (including a maritime surveillance radar, electro-optical sensor, and AIS receiver), and the mission system developed by Naval Group were thoroughly assessed.