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Euronaval 2024: SMDM Onboard Mini-Drone System to Optimize French Maritime Surveillance Capabilities.
Presented at Euronaval 2024, the Onboard Mini-Drone System (SMDM) developed by Survey Copter, an Airbus subsidiary, meets the growing needs of the French Navy for aerial surveillance, detection, and identification. This system, consisting of Aliaca-type drones, is effectively integrated on patrol vessels, frigates, and potentially other naval platforms, thus enhancing the operational capabilities of Navy units.
With an additional order of 15 new systems scheduled for late 2024, the French Navy demonstrates its growing trust in Survey Copter and its mini-drone (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Specifically designed for maritime operations, this drone is launched via an onboard catapult and is automatically retrieved in a net after each mission. Equipped with an optronic pod offering day/night vision and an x30 optical zoom, the SMDM provides extensive detection capabilities with a three-hour endurance and an operational range of 50 km. Powered by an electric motor, it ensures discreet and prolonged surveillance, transmitting data in real time both day and night.
Initially commissioned in 2021 through a €19.7 million contract to equip the Navy with 11 complete systems, the SMDM quickly proved its worth in maritime operations, including control and seizure missions on the high seas. Acting as "remote sensors," these drones enable vessels to track and identify targets beyond their radar range while accurately characterizing suspicious activities. In the Gulf of Guinea, for example, the SMDM played a key role in intercepting a cargo carrying 4.7 tons of cocaine and locating a tanker hijacked by pirates.
Since August 2024, 19 systems have been maintained in service by the Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAé), with a goal to reach 34 systems. Upon each port return, drones needing repairs are sent to Survey Copter and REXIAA Group sites for maintenance. The support contracts include strict commitments regarding spare parts availability, ensuring optimal operational readiness for naval forces.
The technical features of the SMDM, including its modular design and compatibility with various types of ships lacking helicopter platforms, broaden its range of potential missions. Its capabilities for remote identification, photographic reconnaissance of ships, and repositioning provide the Navy with an effective solution for tactical surveillance and reconnaissance. Furthermore, the planned integration of a transponder aims to further extend SMDM’s capabilities, making it increasingly valuable for maritime security and search-and-rescue operations.
With an additional order of 15 new systems scheduled for late 2024, the French Navy demonstrates its growing trust in Survey Copter and its mini-drone. The reliability and versatility of this equipment, already proven in operational missions, indicate a likely expansion of its use within French maritime forces. The solid cooperation between the DGA and Survey Copter, strengthened by these new acquisitions, marks a significant step in boosting the French Navy's surveillance capabilities and potentially expanding the presence of such onboard systems on military platforms in France and abroad.