A French Navy Suffren-class nuclear submarine performed the first launch and recovery of a U.S. Navy unmanned underwater vehicle.
The tests took place between 16 and 20 March 2026, near the Toulon naval base, and represent an important step forward in technological integration between the two countries.
The operation was intended to demonstrate the ability to operate unmanned underwater vehicles while the submarine remains submerged. To this end, a system known as the Dry Deck Shelter was used, which functioned as a launch and recovery platform for the Razorback drone, a military version of the REMUS 620 model designed for hydrographic missions.
During testing, the system performed tasks autonomously at sea, including oceanographic surveys, and successfully re-entered the submarine. The positive results pave the way for the integration of this technology into future operations of the French Navy.
The initiative also strengthens cooperation between France and the United States in the field of submarine warfare. The project has received technical and operational support from several military units and is part of an agreement signed in 2021 to increase 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 staff
#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
