Dassault Aviation launches unmanned combat drone program

France's Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, announced on Tuesday the launch of development for a new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) by Dassault Aviation. This drone is intended to complement the future Rafale F5 standard for fighter jets, with deployment expected after 2030. The announcement was made at a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces at the Saint-Dizier air base.

The new stealth-capable drone is designed for collaborative combat with Rafale aircraft and aims to enhance the operational and technological superiority of the French Air and Space Force by approximately 2033. Key features will include autonomous control with a man-in-the-loop option, internal payload capacity, and adaptability to future threats.

Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier emphasized that the project has deep roots and that future innovations are built upon experience. He highlighted the significance of this initiative, underscoring the renewed confidence placed in Dassault Aviation and its partners by the French Armed Forces and the Defense Procurement Agency (DGA).

The UCAV program will leverage Dassault Aviation's prior experience from the nEUROn program, which served as Europe's first stealth UCAV demonstrator. Together with the Rafale F5 standard and its future evolutions, the new drone is intended to ensure France's defense capabilities and independence for decades to come.