Euronaval 2012: D2AD sea trials completed
Thales and DCNS have just completed sea trails of their D2AD automatic take-off and landing demonstrator for VTOL UAVs.
The companies announced the achievement during the Euronaval conference in Paris, France, following the completion of the trials on 4 October.
The R&D effort was supported by the French Defence Procurement Authority (DGA), and testing involved the demonstration of: radar sensors; a harpoon system; air and dock beacons; a landing management human-machine interface; and a D2AD simulator.
‘We were testing the possibility of having a drone take off and land on a moving platform in the sea,’ Pierre Legros, senior
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027]()
US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027
After recording a nearly six-year delay in the OPC schedule, the USCG intends to advance with the programme, reaching multiple milestones in the short term.
-
![Japan’s first warship sale opens door to future exports but comes with strings attached]()
Japan’s first warship sale opens door to future exports but comes with strings attached
Australia’s selection of an upgraded Mogami-class frigate marks Japan’s first-ever export of a major surface combatant. With an ambitious 2029 delivery target, the deal could open the door to further naval exports – but inexperience and geopolitical friction with China loom large.
-
![Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities]()
Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities
As sea ice extent hits a record low and geopolitical tensions increase in the High North, navies are contending to adopt the technologies needed to operate beneath an increasingly unpredictable Arctic Ocean.
-
![Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration]()
Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration
Enabling Aegis-equipped vessels to launch PAC-3 MSE interceptors will give the USN more options to engage highly manoeuvrable hypersonic missiles – including the ones China has been developing.
