As part of its unmanned vehicles experimentation, the French Navy keeps exploring options for the use of UxVs (UUV, USV and UAV) in naval warfare. In this context, the Navy tested first person view unmanned aerial vehicles (FPV UAV) as a way to reinforce the self-defence of surface vessels.
The experimentation took place off Toulon in Southern France in the continuity of the DRAGOON FURY exercise meant to test new technologies within amphibious operations and more genrally within the naval domain to better adapt to threats faced in modern warfare.
A few days ago, sailors aboard a Mistral-class LHD piloted First Person View (FPV) UAVs such as those widely used in Ukraine to neutralize training targets simulating an incoming USV threat. The French Navy confirmed to Naval News the testing of FPV UAVs for ships’ self-defence is a new concept it is exploring. About the targets, the Navy specified the training division used “towed small boat hull simulating a unmanned surface vehicle threat”, but could not elaborate on the models of FPV UAVs used. They, however, mentioned various models of “FPV RW – rotary wing” systems were tested.
Having faced multiple times UxVs while in the Red Sea and taking feedback of the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, the French Navy has stepped up her UxVs training. Drones have become a fully-fledged component in her exercises, whether to counter them or to use them.
Recently, the Navy conducted several experiments for the use of one-way attack unmanned vehicles. The Center of Expertise for Naval Programs – center for the testing and development of new techs within the Navy – tested a kamikaze USV against a decommissioned Landing Craft Utility to “confirm French Navy’s ability to deploy a OWA USV from the sea”.
The French Navy is currently conducting its largest exercise, POLARIS 25, designed to reproduce naval combat scenarios at sea, in the air and on land. The exercise includes the use of unmanned vehicles for both offensive and defensive purposes including from and against naval facilities. From 2024, the institution also implemented a dedicated exercise to counter unmanned vehicles – Wildfire exercise – occurring twice a year and meant to use all available options to take down the latters, either by using weapons systems from 7.62mm to 76mm guns, by electronic warfare or by the use of drones.
