Airbus Helicopters and French naval defense contractor DCNS are teaming up to develop France’s Naval Aerial Drone system, or SDAM.
SDAM will include a vertical takeoff and landing drone that operates from ships. Airbus will provide its VSR700 drone, derived from the Capri G2 light civil helicopter from Helicopteres Guimbal, according to an Airbus news release.
“Airbus Helicopters will be responsible for designing and developing the VSR700 drone as well as the various technologies needed for drones to perform aerial missions, such as data liaison, payload and a ‘see and avoid’ capability enabling the drone’s integration into airspace,” the company said.
DCNS will be responsible for integrating the drone on warships, including drone payloads, data links and shipboard control systems.
Airbus and DCNS team up for French naval drone
