Aviation News – The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has officially qualified the new Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) variant of Airbus Helicopters‘ tactical uncrewed aerial system, the U010 Aliaca. This major achievement clears the advanced drone system for active service under the French Navy’s SMDM contract following intensive land and sea trials.
The formal qualification arrives after an exhaustive test campaign conducted throughout May and June 2026 in close partnership with the French Navy. This milestone marks the integration of the first two VTOL-configured systems into naval operations, highlighting a successful multi-agency collaboration designed to boost maritime surveillance capabilities.
Originally qualified in a fixed-wing configuration, the U010 Aliaca has served actively since 2022 aboard French patrol vessels and surveillance frigates, even aiding search and rescue missions in the English Channel. Out of 34 total systems ordered by the DGA—each comprising two individual drones—eight systems will feature this newly qualified VTOL capability, expanding operational flexibility in confined spaces.
The integration of vertical take-off and landing technology allows uncrewed aerial systems to launch and recover efficiently from constrained ship decks without requiring traditional runway infrastructure. This operational enhancement drastically reduces launch risks, improves deployment speed during active missions, and maximizes tactical surveillance coverage for naval vessels at sea.
“The DGA qualification is a major milestone and it reflects the trust placed in the performance of our technology. It also highlights the successful collaboration between our teams, the DGA, and the French Navy. This joint effort has allowed us to deliver a mature, safe, and highly capable VTOL asset, ready for immediate operational deployment,” said Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Airbus Helicopters.
The successful introduction of the VTOL variant paves the way for wider adoption across European naval fleets seeking versatile uncrewed reconnaissance assets. As production continues toward fulfilling the remaining DGA orders, the platform will heavily influence future tactical doctrine for maritime surveillance and security operations.
Airbus Helicopters secures official DGA qualification for the U010 Aliaca VTOL variant following successful spring trials with the French Navy. The milestone clears the first two advanced systems for immediate deployment under the SMDM contract. This technological advancement significantly enhances shipborne surveillance and operational flexibility for future maritime missions.
