Between March 16 and 20, 2026, a French Navy (Marine Nationale) Suffren-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) successfully launched and recovered a U.S. Navy Razorback underwater drone for the first time. These technical trials took place off the coast of Toulon, France’s main naval base. They mark a significant step in the capabilities of the Suffren-class SSN, they also higlight the high level of interoperability between the French and U.S. submarines forces.
The primary objective of these trials was to validate the ability to launch and recover an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) while the submarine remained submerged. To achieve this, the French SSN utilized its Dry Deck Shelter (DDS)—a removable hangar attached to the submarine’s aft deck.
While typically used for transporting swimmer delivery vehicles and specialized equipment, the DDS served as the docking station for the Razorback drone. Developed by HII, the Razorback is a military variant of the civilian REMUS 620, designed primarily for hydrographic missions.
The U.S. Navy already has experience with launching and recovering REMUS series UUVs from their Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN-791) as part of the ‘Yellow Moray’ programme. The U.S. Navy crews however launch and recover the UUVs from the submarine’s torpedo tubes, which brings more flexibility. As previously report by Naval News, a REMUS 600 UUV is now deployed operationally onboard Delaware.
Naval News understands that the Royal Swedish Navy’s submarine flotilla was the first service in the world to field an operational system able to retrieve torpedo-shaped UUVs (and bring them back inside the submarine via the torpedo tube). The Swedes are using, since 2019, a system designed by Saab known as SubROV.
Operational Objectives
Under the supervision of specialist divers, the Suffren-class submarine performed several launch and recovery cycles. During these maneuvers, the drone:
- Conducted autonomous mission phases at sea.
- Performed various oceanographic measurements.
- Successfully returned to the submarine for recovery.
The successful completion of these tests allows the French Navy to consider integrating this type of drone into future active operations.
Strengthening French-American Ties
The project was made possible through close coordination between the U.S. Navy, which shared the drone’s technical specifications and recovery procedures, the French Submarine Forces, who designed the trials, and the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), which provided technical expertise.
Beyond the technical achievement, these trials demonstrate the ability of both nations to share and implement high-end capabilities and complex procedures in the sensitive field of undersea warfare.
Update 1
Naval News learned that U.S. Navy units Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Group ONE (UUVGRU-1) and Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Squadron ONE (UUVRON-1) participated in these trials.
The Razorback trials aboard a French SSN were conducted as part of the Strategic Interoperability Framework enacted by the U.S. Navy and French Marine Nationale in December 2021 with the goal of enhancing high-end warfighting interoperability.
Update 2
Contacted by Naval News for more details, the French Navy said Loire-class Offshore Support & Assistance Vessel (BSAM) Seine (A604) supported the trials. In addition, several shore based units (SSF, SLM, Toulon Naval Base, DGA) supported the trials too. No private contractors / industry were involved.
Asked about “what is next”, a French Navy spokesperson replied the next step is to “operationalize this win-win capability: French SSN + American drone = shared data”. The spokesperson added that a similar capability with a French designed UUV is currently being studied.
The U.S. Navy’s COMUUVGRU ONE issued a new picture and a press release (below):
ATLANTIC OCEAN – In a significant demonstration of interoperability and advanced naval capability, the French Navy (Marine Nationale) and the U.S. Navy’s Commander, Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Group One (COMUUVGRU ONE) have successfully launched a Razorback Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) from a French Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN).
The operation saw the medium-class Razorback UUV deployed from the French SSN’s Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). This marks a critical milestone in the collaborative efforts between the two allied nations, showcasing a high degree of trust and technical integration. The Razorback UUV is designed for missions such as battlespace awareness and intelligence preparation of the operational environment.
The French Suffren-class submarines are equipped with a removable DDS, a specialized hangar that can be affixed to the submarine’s hull. This shelter allows for the launch and recovery of UUVs, swimmer delivery vehicles, and special operations forces while the submarine remains submerged, providing a significant tactical advantage.
“This successful launch is a testament to the strong partnership between the French and U.S. navies,” said a representative from COMUUVGRU ONE. “The ability to deploy U.S. assets from allied submarines expands our operational reach and enhances our collective undersea warfare capabilities. It is a powerful example of our shared commitment to maritime security and stability.”
The exercise underscores the versatility of both the French SSN platform and the Razorback UUV system. By integrating these advanced technologies, the partner navies are developing new tactics and procedures for undersea operations, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of naval warfare. The ongoing collaboration between the French Marine Nationale and COMUUVGRU ONE is focused on leveraging unmanned systems to create a more effective and distributed naval force.
