A nuclear-powered submarine of the Suffren class, from the French Navy, successfully conducted for the first time the launch and recovery of an unmanned underwater vehicle from the United States Navy.
The tests took place between March 16 and 20, 2026, near the naval base of Toulon, marking an important step forward in technological integration between the two countries.
The operation focused on demonstrating the ability to operate unmanned underwater vehicles while the submarine remains submerged. For this, a system known as a Dry Deck Shelter was used, serving as a launch and recovery platform for the Razorback drone, a military version of the REMUS 620 model designed for hydrographic missions.
During the tests, the equipment performed tasks autonomously at sea, including oceanographic measurements, and successfully returned to the submarine. The positive performance paves the way for this type of technology to be incorporated into future operations of the French Navy.
The initiative also strengthens cooperation between France and the United States in the field of undersea warfare. The project received technical and operational support from various military units and is part of an agreement signed in 2021 to enhance interoperability between the two nations in high-complexity scenarios.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @MarineNationale | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
#SSN | Off the coast of Toulon, SSN successfully conducted underwater trials deploying a US Navy Razorback UUV from its Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). The axcquisition of this new capacity demonstrates the high levels of interoperability with the @USNavy. 🇫🇷🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LA5jgCcFOO
— Marine nationale (@MarineNationale) April 1, 2026
