Euronaval 2024: Airbus Unveils VSR700 Naval Helicopter Drone with Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities.

At the Euronaval 2024 Naval Defense Exhibition in Paris, France, Airbus showcased an advanced version of its VSR700 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), specifically designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). This latest iteration incorporates critical ASW capabilities and a state-of-the-art radar system, enhancing its role in maritime defense and extending its utility in naval operations.
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Airbus showcases the VSR700 naval helicopter drone in its new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) configuration at Euronaval 2024. (Picture source: army Recognition Group)

The VSR700 is Airbus’s flagship VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), developed to support naval forces with flexible and autonomous operational capabilities. In this new configuration, Airbus has integrated lightweight, compact ASW weapons tailored to the needs of unmanned systems. The ASW weapon system, mounted on each side of the VSR700 drone, is optimized for both warning and tactical engagement purposes against submarines. Measuring 1 meter in length, with a diameter of 200 mm and a weight of 30 kg, these ASW systems offer a balanced solution for countering underwater threats, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and midget submarines for neutralization. This addition significantly bolsters the VSR700’s operational role, enabling it to conduct ASW missions autonomously or as part of a coordinated fleet.

Anti-submarine warfare operations are critical to safeguarding maritime domains from underwater threats, and integrating such capabilities into a UAV enhances a fleet's ability to conduct surveillance and counteract submarines without risking crewed assets. The VSR700’s VTOL capability allows it to operate from various naval platforms, including those with limited deck space, such as frigates and corvettes, providing flexibility across multiple mission profiles and operating environments.

A defining feature of this upgraded VSR700 is its front-mounted Diades C-Ranger 200 radar, a powerful tool for real-time situational awareness and target acquisition. The Diades C-Ranger 200 is a compact, high-performance radar optimized for unmanned aerial systems. Operating in the X-band frequency, it provides high-resolution imagery and is adept at detecting, tracking, and classifying both surface and low-flying targets in complex maritime environments. It features an advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and moving target indication (MTI) capabilities, which allow it to capture clear images of small and fast-moving objects, even in rough sea states. This lightweight radar complements the VSR700’s design, ensuring that the UAV’s endurance and maneuverability are not compromised.

The radar's advanced capabilities make it ideal for operations in coastal and open-sea environments, where quick, reliable detection of both surface and submerged targets is crucial. With the Diades C-Ranger 200, the VSR700 can effectively serve in a multi-role capacity, supporting ASW missions, surface surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks.

Its technical specifications are at the core of the VSR700’s appeal, which allows it to perform a diverse range of maritime missions with high endurance and precision. The VSR700 is designed as a VTOL UAV with a compact and modular structure, optimizing it for ship-based operations in confined spaces. It boasts a payload capacity of up to 100 kg, allowing it to carry various mission-specific systems, including radar, sonar buoys, electro-optical sensors, and now lightweight ASW weapons. The UAV is powered by a single 155-horsepower engine, giving it an endurance of up to 10 hours depending on payload, and a top speed of 110 knots.

With an operational range extending beyond 100 nautical miles, the VSR700 can remain on station for extended periods, offering persistent situational awareness and rapid response capabilities. Its advanced navigation and control systems ensure stable flight even in challenging weather conditions, which is critical for maintaining precision and effectiveness in ASW and ISR operations. The VSR700 is also compatible with NATO-standard data links, enabling seamless integration with existing naval platforms and facilitating real-time data sharing with command centers and other fleet assets. This makes the VSR700 a highly versatile and resilient solution for multi-role operations in maritime defense.

The VSR700’s enhanced ASW version highlights the growing trend in deploying UAVs to perform roles traditionally handled by manned platforms. By equipping the VSR700 with ASW capabilities, Airbus addresses the modern navy's demand for high-endurance, low-risk solutions for detecting and countering underwater threats.

With ASW threats becoming increasingly complex, the VSR700’s upgraded configuration offers a cost-effective, versatile alternative to larger, more resource-intensive ASW systems. Its modular design and payload flexibility also make it easily adaptable for other mission requirements, such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, or even mine detection.

Airbus’s unveiling of this ASW-focused VSR700 represents an important step in their commitment to developing cutting-edge defense technologies in collaboration with leading maritime forces. By integrating advanced ASW and radar capabilities into its UAV portfolio, Airbus aligns itself with modern navies' needs, prioritizing unmanned solutions for increased range, stealth, and adaptability.

The VSR700’s unveiling at Euronaval 2024 reflects Airbus’s responsiveness to emerging maritime threats and the defense sector's push toward next-generation, unmanned naval systems. As such, the VSR700 is well-positioned to become a key asset for navies worldwide looking to bolster their ASW capabilities while reducing operational risks and costs.