Is French Navy paving the way for underwater drone swarms?.

According to information published on July 3, 2023, three high-potential projects were honored with the PERSEUS label by Admiral Pierre Vandier, Chief of Staff of the Navy, and General Engineer Thierry Carlier, Deputy Director General for Armaments:
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist rendering of underwater drone swarms. (Picture source: Arkeocean)

The NAZDAC project: A navigation system for cluttered environments developed by SAFRAN, to be deployed on ECUME crafts used by the Marine Commandos.

The Roaming Underwater Munitions project: An underwater drone swarm system developed by ArkeOcéans, designed to neutralize a warship. This system is intended to be deployed from a surface vessel.

The SENTINEL Radar Interceptor project: Developed by Thales, this innovation is intended for the front-line frigates of the French Navy. Tests have been conducted on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier during the ANTARES mission.

The PERSEUS label is a recognition, by the Navy's General Staff and the DGA, of an industrial company's investment in an innovative project that is sufficiently mature to be tested by sailors during training or operations.

Beyond the label, PERSEUS is an innovative approach, driven by the 2023 update of the MERCATOR strategic plan, which aims to speed up the innovation cycle by bringing sailors, DGA engineers, and industry professionals closer together.

PERSEUS provides the opportunity for sailors themselves to test promising innovations from expert centers, maritime force experimentation laboratories, or the defense industry, under real conditions during an operation or combat readiness exercise.

The rapid cycle experimentation of PERSEUS should allow for faster development and better integration of innovative technologies, capable of becoming the determining capabilities of the Navy's future battles.

Swarm drones

These swarms consist of multiple autonomous or semi-autonomous underwater drones working together in a coordinated manner to achieve various military objectives.

They enhance situational awareness, gather intelligence, and can disrupt enemy naval operations. They are used for mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, covert surveillance, and environmental monitoring. Future advancements may include improved communication, enhanced autonomy, and integration of artificial intelligence.