VSR700 autonomous take-off and landing capabilities tested at sea

Airbus Helicopters has began sea trials for the VSR700, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) being built for the French Navy as part of the SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, which is being run by the DGA (Direction générale de l’Armement – the French Armament General Directorate). The trials were carried out with an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) based on a modified Guimbal Cabri G2 that was fitted with the VSR700’s autonomous take-off and landing (ATOL) technology. This flight test campaign prepares the VSR700 for its impending sea display onboard a French Navy frigate.

The test was carried out in the presence of DGA specialists off the coast of Brest, France, onboard a civilian vessel with a helicopter landing deck. The experiments were meant to examine the approach procedures before landing on the vessel, in addition to showing the ATOL technology built for the VSR700. The VSR700 flight envelope was evaluated at sea, in close proximity to a vessel, in accordance with development goals, and found to be entirely compatible with naval operations. The ATOL system‘s semi-autonomous and completely autonomous modes were successfully tested in various sea conditions.

Before those features are integrated into the fully autonomous VSR700, the OPV may carry one test pilot to enable safer and more rapid first testing. Initially, the OPV performed manned take-offs and landings before progressing to completely autonomous movements.

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The VSR700 is a 500-1,000 kg maximum take-off weight UAS designed to work with other shipborne naval weapons. It has the finest payload capabilities, endurance, and operational cost balance. It can carry numerous full-size naval sensors for lengthy periods of time and can operate alongside a helicopter from current ships with a small logistical footprint.

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The VSR700’s initial prototype flew for the first time in 2020 and enlarged its flying envelope in 2021. The DGA ordered a second prototype of the VSR700 in April 2021, focusing on trials addressing SDAM criteria and allowing for broader, faster progress toward that aim.

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