Marignane, France — France has ordered eight Airbus U050 Capa-X uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for the French Navy and Army under the country’s Light Tactical Drone System (SDTL) evaluation programme.
The French Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) placed the follow-on order with Airbus Helicopters. It covers four complete systems, with each system including two drones. Two systems will go to the French Navy and two to the French Army, with deliveries scheduled for 2027.
The order follows the evaluation of an initial U050 Capa-X system acquired at the end of 2025. It completed a land and maritime evaluation campaign involving several French forces during 2025 and early 2026.
During the trials, the Capa-X met SDTL requirements, demonstrating seven hours of endurance while carrying two payloads, an operational range of 100 kilometres and a compact logistical footprint. A complete system can be transported using two pickup trucks.
U050 Capa-X Specifications
The U050 Capa-X has a maximum takeoff weight of 120 kilograms, a payload capacity of up to 20 kilograms and a maximum endurance of more than 10 hours. It operates through a direct data link at distances of up to 100 kilometres from its ground station.
The aircraft can use conventional or vertical take-off and landing configurations and is available with short- and long-wing options. The short-wing version has a maximum speed of 150 km/h. The system has a maximum ceiling of 3,000 metres and can be deployed in less than 20 minutes. The long-wing configuration has a 6-metre wingspan, while the aircraft is 4 metres long.
For its initial French military configuration, the drone carries an optronic pod for imagery intelligence (IMINT) and a signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability for surveillance, reconnaissance, imagery exploitation and operational analysis.
The platform's modular design allows multiple payloads to be carried simultaneously and enables configurations to be changed for different missions. It is also designed to receive additional capabilities as French operational requirements develop.
Victor Gerin-Roze, head of uncrewed aerial systems at Airbus Helicopters, said the order marks the programme's entry into its operational phase and highlighted the platform's modularity as its main advantage.
DMAé, a joint-service organisation reporting to the Chief of the Defence Staff, will oversee the drones' through-life support and fleet availability.
The U050 Capa-X was developed by Survey Copter, an Airbus subsidiary, and is part of Airbus Helicopters' tactical uncrewed aerial systems portfolio. The contract value has not been disclosed.
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