Commenting on the decision, Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: “We are honored that the French Ministry for the Armed Forces has decided to launch the next phase of the VSR700 programme with serial production for France and future export customers within the frame of the agreement signed at the Paris Air Show in 2025.” He added: “Airbus Helicopters is fully committed to delivering this much-needed operational capability.”
Even also highlighted the industrial preparations supporting the programme. He said: “To ensure the success of this next chapter, we have established a new industrial setup specifically designed for serial production.”
The VSR700 will be delivered in an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance configuration, including a surveillance radar, an electro optical system and an Automatic Identification System receiver. Naval Group will ensure integration of the system into ship architectures and its connection with the combat system using the Steeris Mission System.
The uncrewed aerial system is based on the crewed Cabri G2 helicopter from Hélicoptères Guimbal and was developed within the French Navy and DGA SDAM programme. Designed as a dual-use platform, the VSR700 has been extensively tested over land and at sea and can complement crewed helicopters by extending intelligence gathering and long-endurance surveillance capabilities.
Although initially operated by the French Navy in an ISR role, the VSR700 is a multirole system able to carry a range of long-range sensors. Airbus has also demonstrated its use for logistics, armed scout missions and civil tasks such as firefighting and disaster relief, as well as its ability to team with crewed helicopters using the HTeaming solution.
Source: Airbus (press release).
