French Navy boosts its ISR capabilities
Additional VTOL UAVs will be deployed on Mistral-class vessels
Four more Schiebel Camcopter S-100 VTOL UAVs have been accepted into operational use by the French Navy.
The rotary-wing unmanned aircraft will be deployed on the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships Tonnerre and Mistral, to enhance their ISR capabilities.
Camcopter S-100 was previously integrated on Dixmude (another Mistral-class vessel) in 2019.
Factory acceptance tests for the latest systems were held in late October, with support from Naval Group.
‘This was the first time in Europe that a rotary-wing UAS had been connected to the combat system of an amphibious helicopter carrier,’ Schiebel noted on 14 December.
The S-100 can carry multiple payloads up to a combined weight of 50kg. The UAV has a mission endurance of 6h with a 34kg payload or 10h with optional external tank, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
Meanwhile, under the SDAM programme, the French Navy is buying up to 15 UAVs to operate from its new Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) frigates and other vessels. The current plan is for deliveries from 2028.
Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group collaborated on the project and were awarded a technology development contract in 2019 for the VSR700 rotary-wing UAV.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM) [France]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
