France's Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters, a unit of Airbus Group (OTC: EADSY), for four U050 Capa-X Uncrewed Aerial Systems, with delivery scheduled for 2027.

The order covers four systems, each comprising two drones. Two systems are intended for the French Navy and two for the French Army, as part of France's Light Tactical Drone System evaluation programme, known as SDTL.

The order follows an evaluation campaign conducted with various French forces in 2025 and early 2026, during which the U050 Capa-X was assessed on land and at sea. The system demonstrated a 7-hour endurance, dual-payload capacity, and an operational range of 100 km. Its complete setup was shown to fit onto two pickup trucks.

The U050 Capa-X weighs 120 kg and can operate up to 100 km from its ground station via a direct data link. It offers up to 10 hours of endurance and can carry a maximum payload of 20 kg. In its initial configuration, the system is equipped with an optronic pod for imagery intelligence and a signals intelligence capability.

"We are honoured that the DMAé has selected our U050 Capa-X drone to equip the French Navy and Army. This is a testament to their trust and a decisive milestone for the programme, which officially enters its operational phase," said Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Airbus Helicopters.

The DMAé is a joint-service organisation reporting to the Chief of the Defence Staff, responsible for the performance and through-life support of aircraft and aeronautical equipment.