Euronaval 2024: Naval Group unveils Seaquest S USV

Seaquest S on display at Euronaval 2024 in Paris. (Janes/Kate Tringham)

Naval Group unveiled its first multi-role combat small USV, named Seaquest S, at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition held from 4-7 November in Paris.

The first in a new family of USVs to be designed by Naval Group through its subsidiary Sirehna and produced in partnership with Couach-CNC shipyard, Seaquest S is specifically engineered to integrate with traditional warships, including frigates, which the company claims is a world first for a USV.

“We believe this is a clear gamechanger in terms of uncrewed operational capabilities provided to surface combatant vessels,” Aurore Neuschwander, Naval Group executive vice president for drones, unmanned systems and underwater weapons, told reporters at Euronaval.

Rapid development

Developed in less than a year through a rapid prototyping process, the first production-standard unit was launched in July 2024, and it has already carried out operational trials with the French Navy, Neuschwander said.

Modular and scalable in design, Seaquest S is fitted for various mission packages to fulfil a wide range of combat missions such as identification, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting (ISRT-T), electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

The USV comprises three distinct modules: a sensor module (based on a reclining topside Panoramic Sensor Integrated Mast - PSIM), a communications module at the rear of the platform, and an effector module (situated in a mission bay area at the front of the vessel that can also be adapted for other mission packages).

Adaptable roles

The first Seaquest S is equipped specifically for intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR missions).