Overview
- France’s DGA amended the SMDM contract to procure the Aliaca in a VTOL configuration, with a DGA-led qualification campaign slated for early 2026 on land and at sea.
- The French Navy will be the first operator under the SMDM program, with a total of 34 Aliaca systems ordered since 2022.
- The aircraft uses quad‑rotor vertical lift for takeoff and landing while cruising on fixed wings, eliminating the need for catapults or runways for shipboard operations.
- Airbus says the VTOL version preserves SMDM performance and system architecture, using the same ground control station to speed integration and reduce logistics.
- Key specs include a 25 kg maximum takeoff weight, 3.5 m wingspan, up to two hours of endurance, 50 km range, and EO/IR plus AIS sensors, while the fixed‑wing fleet remains in service for at least seven more years.