First edition of the Dronathlon 2024 organized by the French Navy

A look back at the first edition of Dronathlon 2024, organised by the French Navy (CEPN) and the DGA - Directorate General of Armament, in collaboration with the Defence Innovation Agency, from 7 to 11 October. This unprecedented event brought together 35 companies to test drone solutions in realistic and multi-environment scenarios.

Marine Tech participated in 2 exercises, within 2 consortia:

- Poseidrones with SEABER (leader), Hologarde and HEXADRONE.

- Amphitheater D with Thales (leader), DRONE ACT and PILGRIM TECHNOLOGY.

In the first scenario, the RSV Sea Observer was equipped with a beacon (USBL) used to track and geolocate in real time 2 AUVs from the company SEABER. Their objective was to map a coastal area and detect underwater targets (such as mines). Despite stormy conditions, the operation was successful.

An aerial drone (the Tundra 2 from the company HEXADRONE) completed the operation. It flew over a land area to identify events (objects and troops on the ground). The real-time feedback demonstrates the value of using these cutting-edge technologies for the Navy.

A few days later, the second scenario also saw the deployment of the RSV surface drone but this time equipped with an underwater deployment device of a FLASH IG type sonar (sonar belonging to Thales) for listening to and detecting submarines.

As the magazine Le Marin points out, "sailors are full of praise for this boat which held up at sea in the middle of a storm and under a thunderstorm," our two scenarios were carried out and validated in difficult weather conditions, with winds reaching 100 km/h and a swell of 2 m, which made it possible to define the limits of use of the different systems.

These operations offer the opportunity to evaluate drone performance and better understand operational needs in this complex environment.

We would like to thank all the participants, as well as our partners, for this enriching experience.

A big thank you also to the organizers of the event, without whom this would not have been possible.