Zodiac Milpro announces the launch of the EQUINOX 930 USV, its first Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), at Euronaval 2026.
Zodiac Milpro press release
Building on its recognised expertise in the design and production of military and professional boats, Zodiac Milpro is extending its know-how to uncrewed naval platforms. The EQUINOX 930 USV combines a robust, proven platform with a control architecture designed to integrate different autonomy systems and mission equipment.
EQUINOX 930 USV: MODULARITY IN SUPPORT OF OPERATIONAL SUPERIORITY
In response to evolving operational requirements, naval forces are developing hybrid fleets combining crewed platforms and uncrewed surface vessels. With the EQUINOX 930 USV, Zodiac Milpro aims to contribute to this transformation by offering a versatile platform suited to a wide range of missions, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), force protection, Mine Countermeasures (MCM) and hydrography, with the potential to support other naval missions depending on its configuration and integrated equipment.
Measuring 9.3 metres in length and built from aluminium, the EQUINOX 930 USV can exceed 40 knots and offers a range of more than 600 nautical miles, depending on operating conditions. It also stands out for its air-droppable capability, providing greater flexibility for the most demanding maritime operations.
Its design is built around three key pillars:
- Multi-mission modularity: A configurable mission bay and a dedicated aft deck allow interchangeable payloads of up to 800 kg to be integrated, enabling the platform to be adapted to a wide range of missions. Its configurable central moonpool also facilitates the integration of specialised sensors, particularly for hydrography and mine countermeasures.
- Open and interoperable architecture: Zodiac Milpro’s Vessel Control System (VCS) enables the integration of different autonomy systems and mission equipment according to operational requirements. This approach provides greater freedom of technological choice and supports the evolution of the platform’s capabilities over time.
- Deployment flexibility: Designed to integrate with existing logistical assets, the EQUINOX 930 USV retains transport and launch standards compatible with existing infrastructure, including cradles and davits. Transportable in a 40-foot ISO container and air-droppable, it minimises the need for modifications and facilitates integration into existing operational frameworks.
This approach makes it possible to adapt a single platform to different missions and evolve its capabilities as requirements change, without having to develop a dedicated vessel for each use.
INTEROPERABILITY AT THE HEART OF THE CONTROL ARCHITECTURE
At the heart of the EQUINOX 930 USV, the Zodiac Milpro Vessel Control System (VCS) manages onboard functions and provides the interface between the platform, its equipment and the integrated autonomy systems.
It enables remote control, waypoint-based route programming, platform monitoring and video feed management. Its autonomy-provider-agnostic architecture allows different solutions to be integrated according to operational requirements and customer preferences.
This approach preserves technological choice and supports the evolution of the platform’s capabilities. Beyond its onboard systems, the EQUINOX 930 USV is designed to integrate into operational frameworks combining different crewed and uncrewed assets. By combining an open architecture with a platform designed to work with existing assets, Zodiac Milpro aims to contribute to the development of more flexible and interoperable hybrid fleets.
INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITIES IN SUPPORT OF OPERATORS
The development of the EQUINOX 930 USV draws on Zodiac Milpro’s international industrial capabilities, with five production sites in Spain, Canada, the United States, Germany and Australia. This organisation enables the Group to leverage established production capabilities to support the development of its activities and meet the needs of armed forces and maritime security operators.
Beyond design and production, Zodiac Milpro provides maintenance and training services to support customers in operating their platforms and maintaining them in operational condition. The EQUINOX 930 USV marks a new milestone in the Group’s development and reinforces its ambition to become a leading player in the autonomous surface vessel market.
“Our strength lies in our ability to evolve alongside operational requirements. With EQUINOX, we are putting our expertise at the service of a new generation of autonomous naval capabilities, built around three key requirements: modularity, interoperability and responsiveness. Our priority remains unchanged: to stand alongside operators and provide them with practical solutions tailored to the missions of today and tomorrow,” says Guillaume Laurin, President of the Zodiac Milpro Group.
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