Naval News – The DANAE (for Drone Autonome Naval avec de l’Armement Embarqué or Autonomous Naval Drone with Onboard Armament) project aims to rapidly equip the French Navy with armed Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV). In a first stage, the Marine Nationale expects these drone boats to conduct naval bases protection missions with non-lethal effectors. In a second and longer term stage, the USVs should be able to conduct escort and protection duties of military ships or high value units at sea, with onboard lethal weapons. The first systems from this “innovation acceleration project” are expected to be delivered at the end of 2027.