Airbus Helicopters announced on 3 November that France's Armament General Directorate (DGA) had qualified the vertical-take-off-and-landing version of its U010 Aliaca uncrewed aircraft. The decision followed a land and sea test campaign in May and June 2026 with the French Navy. Airbus says the first two VTOL systems were delivered in September. Qualification clears the variant to enter service under the Navy's SMDM embarked-drone contract; the release does not establish that the VTOL variant has begun routine shipboard operations.
What changed
The original fixed-wing Aliaca already had DGA qualification and has been operational under SMDM since 2022. The new variant can launch and recover vertically, avoiding the fixed-wing version's catapult and recovery net. That matters on support vessels with limited deck space and different operating patterns. Airbus says crews can use a common ground-control station and operating system across the two variants, reducing the change in training and procedures.
Of 34 Aliaca systems ordered by the DGA, each comprising two aircraft, Airbus says eight will be VTOL. Its October programme account said deployment on metropolitan support and assistance vessels (BSAM) would begin in late 2026, with overseas support and assistance vessels (BSAOM) following in 2027. These are plans, not confirmed deployment dates. The aircraft are intended for maritime surveillance and security missions, including from French Pacific, Indian Ocean and Caribbean territories.
Evidence and status
This is a formal qualification and reported delivery milestone. Airbus does not publish the qualification test criteria, operational availability, sortie rates or endurance achieved in the naval campaign. Qualification should be distinguished from a report that every ordered VTOL system has been delivered or accepted for routine deployment. French Navy confirmation of first embarked operations and delivery progress would establish the next stage.
Publication history
- — Added French DGA qualification and first delivery of Aliaca VTOL, separating formal clearance from future shipboard deployment.
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Follow the evidence
Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.
- Airbus Helicopters, DGA qualifies U010 Aliaca VTOL, 3 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer qualification announcement
- Airbus Helicopters, U010 Aliaca goes vertical, 29 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer programme background
