The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has ordered a new version of the SMDM, known as “Onboard Mini Aerial Drone Systems for the Navy”, from Airbus Helicopters through its subsidiary Survey Copter. The uncrewed aerial system will now be delivered in a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) configuration. Since 2022, the DGA has ordered a total of 34 Aliaca systems for the French Navy. Deliveries of the new VTOL version are scheduled to begin in May 2026 following a qualification campaign.
Airbus Helicopters confirmed that the VTOL version of the Aliaca will be delivered to the French Navy for the first time. The Aliaca has already been operated successfully by the French Navy from ships and land-based locations for several years, demonstrating its operational capability. The introduction of the VTOL configuration is expected to provide increased flexibility, with the contract amendment reflecting the maturity of the system and its readiness for wider customer adoption.
The Aliaca VTOL underwent land and sea trials at the end of 2024 and throughout 2025. Unveiled in April 2025, the VTOL variant was developed in under a year, building on a configuration already proven in French Navy operations. The tactical mini-drone is fitted with four propellers to enable vertical take-off and landing, while retaining fixed-wing propulsion during flight. It has a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg, a wingspan of 3.5 m and a length of 2.1 m. The system offers an endurance of up to two hours and a range of 50 km. It is equipped with a camera, a gyro-stabilised electro-optical and infrared sensor, and an Automatic Identification System capable of identifying ships over several hundred kilometres.
The upgraded SMDM retains the performance and architecture of the existing system while enabling faster deployment and a reduced logistical footprint, as no launch or recovery equipment is required. Operators continue to use the same ground control station, which is already in service and recognised for ease of operation.
Qualified by the DGA and operational since 2022, the SMDM currently equips high-sea patrol vessels, overseas patrol vessels and surveillance frigates. Since mid-2023, it has also been deployed from the French coast to support search and rescue missions in the English Channel. The VTOL version will be introduced across additional French Navy vessel classes to support missions including maritime situational awareness, countering illegal activities, traffic and coastal surveillance, search and rescue, and the detection of suspicious behaviour. In the longer term, the system is also expected to support land-based coastal surveillance operations.
The new VTOL configuration is scheduled to enter a DGA-led qualification phase in early 2026, covering both land and sea trials, ahead of its declaration as operational. The existing fixed-wing version of the SMDM will remain in service aboard equipped vessels and will continue to be maintained in operational condition for at least seven years.
