MARIGNANE, France : The French Navy is set to introduce a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) variant of the Aliaca unmanned aerial system following a formal amendment to an existing procurement contract between the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) and Airbus Helicopters. The update, announced on February 3, 2026, expands the scope of the SMDM (Systèmes de Mini Drones aériens embarqués) programme and brings the total number of Aliaca systems ordered for the French Navy to 34 units since 2022.
The contract modification reflects the navy’s requirement for greater deployment flexibility across a broader range of surface vessels, particularly those without dedicated launch and recovery equipment for fixed-wing unmanned aircraft.
Introduction of Hybrid VTOL Configuration
The most notable change in the new Aliaca version is the adoption of a hybrid propulsion architecture combining vertical lift and conventional fixed-wing flight. The VTOL-configured Aliaca is fitted with four dedicated electric propellers used exclusively for vertical take-off and landing. This allows the system to operate directly from ship decks and confined land sites without catapult launchers, arresting nets, or recovery cables.
After take-off, the aircraft transitions to a fixed-wing propulsion mode that enables sustained cruise flight. This approach is intended to preserve endurance and range characteristics while significantly reducing the logistical footprint associated with shipborne drone operations.
Technical Characteristics and Performance
The Aliaca VTOL retains the compact dimensions of the existing system while accommodating the additional lift hardware. The aircraft has a wingspan of 3.5 metres and an overall length of 2.1 metres. Its maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is 25 kilograms.
In operational terms, the drone offers an endurance of up to two hours and an operational range of 50 kilometres. The payload suite includes a gyro-stabilised electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor for day-and-night surveillance, along with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver that enables long-range detection and identification of maritime traffic.
Current Service Use and Expanded Deployment
The SMDM system was formally qualified by the DGA in 2022 and has since become an established component of French naval surveillance operations. Within the navy, the Aliaca is frequently described as a long-range visual observation tool supporting surface combatants and patrol vessels.
At present, the system is deployed aboard high-sea patrol vessels (PHM), overseas patrol vessels (POM), and surveillance frigates. The introduction of the VTOL variant is expected to extend deployment to additional ship classes where deck space and support equipment are limited.
Operational use has expanded beyond standard maritime surveillance. Since the summer of 2023, Aliaca systems have been used in search-and-rescue (SAR) missions in the English Channel. Other missions have included counter-drug operations, monitoring of illegal fishing activity, and detection of marine pollution. The DGA has also indicated that, over the longer term, the Aliaca is intended to support land-based operations as part of France’s national coastal surveillance network.
Qualification Schedule and Delivery Timeline
The VTOL version is scheduled to enter a dedicated qualification phase under DGA supervision in early 2026. This process will include both land-based and shipborne trials to validate performance, reliability, and safety under operational conditions.
Initial deliveries of the VTOL-configured Aliaca systems are planned to begin in May 2026 following completion of the qualification campaign.
According to Airbus Helicopters, the development of the VTOL version was completed in less than one year, building directly on the operational experience gained with the fixed-wing variant already in service. Christophe Canguilhem, Aliaca programme director at Airbus Helicopters, stated that the amended contract reflects the maturity of the platform and its ability to evolve in response to naval operational requirements.
Continued Use of Existing Fleet
The introduction of the VTOL variant will not immediately replace the current fixed-wing Aliaca systems. The French Navy plans to retain the existing fleet in operational service for at least the next seven years, operating both configurations in parallel as mission requirements dictate.
This dual-configuration approach is intended to provide continuity of capability while allowing the navy to progressively integrate the new VTOL system across its surface fleet.
——— End of Article ———
