Naval Group builds underwater drone demonstrator for France
Naval Group said its XL UUV Demonstrator would play a key part in the project. (Photo: Naval Group)
France has awarded a contract to Naval Group to continue the exploration of autonomous underwater capabilities for the French Navy.
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded Naval Group a framework agreement to design, produce and test an uncrewed combat underwater vehicle (UCUV) demonstrator.
A first follow-on contract was also signed to design and develop Naval Group’s Autonomous Decision-Making Process (ADMP) and secure autonomous navigation, the French naval defence company noted.
The newly awarded framework agreement came on the back of a deal between the two parties signed in May 2023 for the exploration of a UCUV. The agreement was set out to conduct studies and evaluate the technologies identified to meet the French Navy’s requirements, and to develop the UCUV demonstrator, Naval Group said.
The first subsequent contract to the framework agreement will run for 24 months and will enable the development of a version of ADMP with the aim of strengthening mission planning and monitoring, as well as securing surface and underwater navigation.
Naval Group said its XL UUV Demonstrator, a platform that completed qualification in mid-2023, would play a key part in the project.
“[The XL UUV] will enable short-cycle evaluation of the technologies, such as ADMP and energy, needed to confirm the technical choices linked to the design of the future UCUV demonstrator,” the company said.
Shephard Defence Insight has estimated that the exploration of autonomous platforms in the naval domain will continue to grow as most navies look for more affordable solutions that can be operated by fewer crew.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver]()
Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver
The A$4 billion Landing Craft Heavy contract for Austal follows on from a A$1 billion deal in December for Landing Craft Medium ships, but the Australian government has made it clear that a contract for Mogami frigates is reliant on the success of these two contracts.
-
![US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes]()
US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes
As part of the Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike programme, the US Navy is pursuing drones capable of delivering palletised rounds or 1,000lb-class munitions.
-
![US Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter ramp-up signifies turning point in Polar operations]()
US Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter ramp-up signifies turning point in Polar operations
The USCG recently announced the award of a contract to Davie Defense for the supply of five ASCs, marking a major step in the acquisition programme as the US grows its presence in the Arctic.
