France qualifies VTOL Aliaca UAV for naval service

France's DGA has qualified the vertical-takeoff-and-landing version of Airbus Helicopters' U010 Aliaca UAV for French Navy service following land and sea trials in May and June 2026. The first two systems were delivered in September, and eight of the 34 ordered SMDM systems will use the VTOL configuration, each containing two aircraft. Four lift propellers replace the need for the original variant's catapult and recovery net while preserving fixed-wing mission flight. Deployment aboard metropolitan support and assistance vessels is planned for late 2026, followed by overseas support vessels during 2027.