During Euronaval 2024, Airbus displayed its new rotor blade UAV VSR700 with sonobuoys and a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) pod.
VSR700 is planned as a supporting platform alongside manned naval helicopters used on warships. Fitting with the exhibition's theme, Airbus has displayed VSR700 with ASW sensor payloads to show the UAV's potential as a remote sensor against submarines.
VSR700 can carry up to four sonobuoys with launchers or a MAD to assist the ship's ASW prowess. However, considering the payload capacity of more than 100 kg and MBDA's portfolio of air-to-surface munitions for helicopters like the recent AKERON family, the options wouldn't be limited to that.
VSR700 is powered by a 200 hp turbodiesel engine, providing lower fuel consumption than a turboshaft engine of similar weight. Thanks to this and a greater fuel/overall volume ratio, VSR700 sports an endurance of 8 hours with a 100 kg payload.
Turkiye is using a UAV of similar background; TİTRA's ALPİN developed from a small-sized helicopter for its Army. Following the Army, the Navy is likely to acquire the UAV as well after additions such as revised autopilot and fuselage structure to withstand the adversity of naval operations.
Smaller rotor UAVs intended for naval service are seen as supports rather than replacements for manned naval helicopters like the S-70 Seahawk NH-90... Thanks to long endurance, they can perform ISR and ASW missions with fewer cuts for returns and refuelling. Manned helicopters can perform the engagements as they search for surface/underwater threats.
Another potential use for these platforms could be countering the sneaky and agile USVs, which are hard to engage with modern warships' current range of anti-surface weaponry (Main gun, RCWS). While the threat itself is one factor in this difficulty, the horizon effect is another large issue in early detection. Rotor UAVs, with an observation from above, can negate this by a large margin when fitted with electro-optics or SAR systems and even have their part in neutralisation if lightweight weapons (Laser guided rockets, ATGMs, loitering munitions...) are integrated.
