France tasks Naval Group to develop large oceangoing underwater drone

PARIS — France signed a contract with shipbuilder Naval Group to develop an operational demonstrator of a large-sized oceangoing underwater drone, with sea trials to start in 2028. The demonstrator of the uncrewed combat underwater vehicle, or UCUV, will have to show both endurance and autonomous decision-making capability, the French Armed Forces ministry said late Tuesday. The vehicle will be capable of carrying out missions ranging from intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance to “more offensive neutralization actions,” the ministry said. For the French Navy, a plus-sized…