Airbus' New U010 Aliaca Drone Variant Qualifies for French Defense Service

09:07 AM EST, 11/03/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The new vertical take-off and landing variant of Airbus (AIR.F, AIR.PA, AIR.MC) unit Airbus Helicopters' tactical drone U010 Aliaca secured qualification from the French Armament General Directorate. The European planemaker said Tuesday that the qualification, which followed an "exhaustive" land and sea trial campaign, clears the uncrewed aerial system for service under a mini-drone system contract for the French Navy. The first two U010 Aliaca systems with the VTOL configuration were delivered to the French Navy in September, Airbus said.