Aviation News – The French Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) has placed an additional order with Airbus Helicopters for four U050 Capa-X uncrewed aerial systems, following a successful initial evaluation phase. The contract covers eight total aircraft split between the French Navy and French Army to strengthen the military’s Light Tactical Drone System (SDTL) evaluation program.
The latest acquisition builds directly on DMAé‘s evaluation of a single U050 Capa-X system purchased at the end of 2025. Following extensive land and sea trial campaigns conducted alongside armed forces units in late 2025 and early 2026, the platform satisfied every requirement laid out by the SDTL initiative. Deliveries of the four newly ordered systems, each comprising two Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), are scheduled to commence in 2027.
During the rigorous evaluation period, Airbus Helicopters proved the platform’s agility, endurance, and operational readiness. Test crews verified a 7-hour endurance in combat configurations, an operational range reaching 100 km, and a dual-payload capability. Furthermore, the system demonstrated a remarkably small logistical footprint, requiring just two pickup trucks to transport and launch the entire operational setup.
Weighing 120 kg, the U050 Capa-X operates up to 100 km away from its ground control station via a secure direct data link. The system delivers up to 10 hours of flight endurance and supports maximum payload capacities of 20 kg. Thanks to its modular design, operators can equip multiple mission packages simultaneously, allowing technicians to rapidly reconfigure the aircraft for changing frontline requirements.
“We are honoured that the DMAé has selected our U050 Capa-X drone to equip the French Navy and Army. This is a testament to their trust and a decisive milestone for the programme, which officially enters its operational phase,” said Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Airbus Helicopters. “This initial version of the U050 Capa-X is designed to evolve both in its design and the scope of its missions to adapt to the constantly changing needs of the armed forces. This is the core advantage of its modularity, which allows us to reinforce and expand its capabilities over time.”
As the SDTL program advances toward full operational deployment in 2027, the U050 Capa-X provides a scalable framework capable of integrating emerging software and sensor technologies. The platform’s adaptability positions Airbus Helicopters as a major player in tactical defense, ensuring French armed forces stay equipped for modern multi-domain combat scenarios.
The expanded contract secures a key tactical asset for both maritime and land forces. Combining high endurance with rapid battlefield mobility, the platform guarantees immediate tactical support across diverse operation zones. As deliveries take shape, Airbus Helicopters continues to refine its modular platform to meet future defense challenges head-on.
