The French Navy is set to introduce the Aliaca VTOL uncrewed aerial system, following an order placed by France through Survey Copter, a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters.
Referred to as SMDM, the VTOL version of Aliaca was developed in under a year using a design already proven in naval service. Officially unveiled in April 2025, the system will begin deliveries in May 2026, making France the first naval operator of the VTOL configuration.
This procurement builds on France’s earlier acquisition of 34 Aliaca fixed-wing drones ordered since 2022.
The Aliaca system is used by the French Navy as “remote binoculars” to extend surveillance from patrol ships and frigates, and it has also supported search-and-rescue missions along the English Channel since 2023.
The VTOL variant is intended to broaden the range of vessels and missions the system can support, including maritime security, situational awareness, and counter-illegal activity operations. Its four-rotor design allows vertical launch and recovery, followed by transition to fixed-wing flight.
The drone has a maximum take-off weight of 25 kilograms, a 3.5-meter wingspan, and a 2.1-meter length, with endurance of up to two hours and a 50-kilometer operational radius. It carries an EO/IR sensor suite, a camera, and an AIS receiver for detecting vessels at extended ranges.
By eliminating the need for launch and recovery equipment, the VTOL configuration reduces logistical complexity and accelerates deployment while maintaining compatibility with existing French Navy control systems.
