Airbus U010 Aliaca VTOL Variant Receives Initial French Order

The French Defence Procurement Agency has ordered the VTOL version of Airbus’s U010 Aliaca, following trials held in 2024 and 2025. The order quantity has not been specified.

Key details

• The VTOL version uses a redesigned wing and modified fuselage while retaining core components, including the autopilot and data link, according to a statement attributed to Airbus Helicopters programme director Maxime Caille.
• The earlier Aliaca configuration used catapult launch and net recovery at sea. The French Navy began operating it aboard an offshore patrol vessel in 2019, with additional systems ordered in 2020.
• Further systems began delivery in 2022 for French Navy offshore patrol vessels, surveillance frigates and overseas patrol vessels.
• The VTOL design is intended to broaden the range of operating locations to include smaller combatants, support ships and land-based sites.
• A system comprises two drones and a ground control station. The aircraft is described as carrying an electro-optical/infrared turret with 30× optical zoom; reported dimensions are a 3.6 m wingspan and 2.2 m length, with a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg.
• Reported performance figures vary by configuration: the electric version offers up to three hours of endurance and a 50 km data-link range; the hybrid version offers up to six hours of endurance and a 100 km operational radius.

The electric U010 Aliaca is reported to offer up to three hours of endurance and a 50 km data-link range.

Why it matters

Vertical takeoff and landing gives the Aliaca another way to operate from ships and land sites, expanding its potential use beyond vessels equipped for catapult launch and net recovery. Its reported maritime surveillance role includes observing beyond a ship’s radar horizon and monitoring maritime approaches.

What happens next

The initial order moves the VTOL Aliaca toward service use after its trials. Which ship or land-based mission would you like to see the aircraft support?