Airbus Helicopters: France Orders Four U50 Capa-X Drone Systems
The Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) has notified Airbus Helicopters of an additional order for U050 Capa-X drone systems, following the evaluation of a first unit acquired in late 2025.
The decision marks the entry of the SDTL program into its operational phase, with aircraft distributed between the French Navy and the Army.
Four Systems Ordered for the Navy and Army
On September 10, 2026, the DMAé placed an additional order with Airbus Helicopters, following the evaluation of a first U050 Capa-X system acquired in late 2025.
The order covers the supply of four systems, each consisting of two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) U050 Capa-X. Two systems are intended for the French Navy and two for the Army, as part of the SDTL (Light Tactical Drone System) evaluation program.
The DMAé is an inter-service organization attached to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, responsible for maintaining the operational readiness of aircraft and aeronautical equipment.
Delivery Scheduled for 2027
Delivery of the systems is scheduled for 2027.
The order follows an evaluation campaign conducted on land and at sea with various French forces in 2025 and early 2026. According to Airbus, the U050 Capa-X met the requirements of the SDTL program, demonstrating a logistical footprint that fits on two pickup trucks, an endurance of 7 hours with dual-payload capacity, and a range of 100 km.
Victor Gerin-Roze, head of drone programs at Airbus Helicopters, stated that this selection represented "a decisive step for the program, which officially enters its operational phase".
A 120 kg Modular Drone for Intelligence
The U050 Capa-X is an unmanned aerial system weighing 120 kg, capable of operating up to 100 km from its ground station with direct data link. It offers up to 10 hours of endurance and a maximum payload capacity of 20 kg.
As a modular drone, it can carry multiple payloads simultaneously and be rapidly reconfigured according to missions. In this initial configuration, it is equipped with an optronics pod dedicated to imagery intelligence (IMINT) and integrates electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities.
According to Airbus, this initial architecture is designed to evolve and integrate new capabilities based on operational requirements.
