The French Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate, known as DMAé, placed the order after evaluating an initial system acquired at the end of 2025. The U050 Capa-X subsequently completed a land and sea campaign with several French forces during 2025 and early 2026.
Two of the new systems are intended for the French Navy and two for the French Army. They will be assessed under France’s Light Tactical Drone System, or SDTL, programme.
“We are honoured that the DMAé has selected our U050 Capa-X drone to equip the French Navy and Army,” said Victor Gerin-Roze, head of uncrewed aerial systems at Airbus Helicopters. He said the order marked the programme’s formal entry into its operational phase.
Airbus said the Capa-X met the requirements of the SDTL programme during the evaluation campaign. It demonstrated seven hours of endurance, a 100-kilometre operational range and the capacity to carry two payloads.
The complete system can be transported on two pickup trucks, reducing the personnel and equipment required for deployment. That compact footprint is intended to support operations by land and naval forces.
The U050 Capa-X weighs 120 kilograms and operates through a direct data link at distances of up to 100 kilometres from its ground station. Its maximum specifications include 10 hours of endurance and a payload capacity of 20 kilograms.
In its initial configuration, the drone carries an optronic pod for imagery intelligence and a signals intelligence capability. The equipment supports surveillance, reconnaissance, imagery exploitation and operational analysis.
The platform’s modular architecture allows multiple payloads to be carried simultaneously and configurations to be changed for different missions. New capabilities can also be integrated as French operational requirements evolve.
“This is the core advantage of its modularity, which allows us to reinforce and expand its capabilities over time,” Gerin-Roze said. DMAé will oversee through-life support and availability for the systems as part of its wider responsibility for French military aircraft and aeronautical equipment.
