The VTOL version of Airbus’ U010 Aliaca UAV, seen launching from rails off a vessel in an image released on 29 October 2026. (Airbus)
France’s Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has qualified the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) variant of Airbus Helicopters’ U010 Aliaca unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), clearing the configuration to enter French Navy service, Airbus announced on 3 November 2026.
Qualification followed land and sea trials conducted with the French Navy during May and June 2026. The first two systems were delivered in September under the navy’s SMDM (Système de mini-drones embarqués pour la Marine: shipborne mini-drone system for the navy) programme. Airbus said eight of the 34 systems ordered by the DGA would feature the VTOL configuration, with each system comprising two Aliacas.
The new variant extends Aliaca operations to vessels without the space or arrangements required for the original version’s catapult launch and net recovery equipment. Four lift propellers enable vertical take-off and landing, while the UAV retains fixed-wing flight for its mission. Airbus announced the French order for the configuration in February 2026, following development trials in late 2024 and throughout 2025.
Deployment is planned to begin aboard the French Navy’s BSAMs (batiments de soutien et d’assistance métropolitains: metropolitan support and assistance vessels) in late 2026, followed by BSAOMs (batiments de soutien et d’assistance outre-mer: overseas support and assistance vessels) during 2027. In an account published on 29 October, Airbus said trials by the French naval aviation test and acceptance centre, CEPA, had demonstrated operations from a BSAM.
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.