French SDAM

The French SDAM (Système de Drone Aérien de la Marine) program aims to equip French Navy surface vessels, such as FREMM frigates and BRF supply ships, with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to extend beyond-horizon surveillance, reconnaissance, and identification capabilities. As of late 2025, the program advanced to procurement with DGA contracts: five CAMCOPTER S-100F systems (10 aircraft total) from Naval Group for FREMM integration, with first delivery by summer 2026, and six VSR700 UAS from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group, targeting initial operating capability in 2028. From a defense-intelligence perspective, SDAM enhances naval situational awareness in contested maritime environments, supports ISR missions with long-endurance payloads, and strengthens France's strategic autonomy in unmanned systems for global power projection.