USVTrial
From Concept to Sea Trials in Six Months: France Fast-Tracks SMOKERS Kamikaze USV
The DGA accelerated development of the low‑cost SMOKERS loitering‑munitions USV, moving from concept to sea trials in six months, featuring a resin‑fiberglass hull, outboard motor, ~40 kt speed and a 3D‑printed pyrotechnic warhead.
- Published
- 09:27 AM UTC
- Source
- Naval Newsnavalnews.com
by Florent de Saint Victor
Key points
Development from concept to sea trials completed in six months.
Fiberglass hull, outboard motor, ~40 kt speed.
Payload designed to damage a first‑rate enemy vessel.
Unit cost targeted at a few tens of thousands of euros; 3D‑printed pyrotechnic system.
Why it matters
Shows rapid French ability to field cheap autonomous strike boats.
In this story
- French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA)
- SMOKERS USV
- French Navy
Original coverage
This archive entry cites the original reporting below and adds internal entity linking for Sea Drone World profiles.
Naval News
by Florent de Saint Victor · navalnews.com
