Because every UAV mission starts on a boat
Multi-platform integration expertise
At sea, every drone depends on the platform that carries it. Whether launched from a RHIB, a patrol vessel or a USV, a UAV must adapt to the boat’s constraints, tools and missions to be truly usable. System integration is the process that makes this possible, by ensuring the drone and the onboard systems function as a coherent whole. Without this link, aerial capabilities cannot be deployed safely or efficiently. Integration is not an add-on, it is a foundational requirement for any UAV used at sea.
This is why integration is at the heart of our activity. Over the years, we have built solid, proven expertise across diverse naval platforms and operational contexts. Strengthened by extensive real-world testing, this experience enables us to deliver seamless, reliable implementations that allow our partners to adopt aerial capabilities with confidence and immediate operational relevance.
Proven through extensive sea testing and operational exercices
USV x UAV interoperability
USV x UAV interoperability has been a key focus for DIODON, developed over several years through work carried out on different uncrewed surface platforms. This continued effort has provided substantial operational feedback across varied maritime conditions and configurations.
These projects have consistently demonstrated the value of combining UAVs with USVs, particularly for increasing persistence, extending coverage, and reducing the workload on embarked teams. The pairing of both assets has shown clear benefits in scenarios requiring sustained maritime awareness or distributed operations.
Building on this experience, we designed the DIODON Launcher, a dedicated module enabling stable deployment of the DIODON HP30 from various USVs. It is already in service and was successfully demonstrated during a major NATO exercise, where it was integrated and evaluated across multiple platforms. This work now opens the way toward integration schemes capable of supporting longer-duration mission cycles directly from uncrewed surface assets.
Off-board sensor
Extended ISR reach
All-sea proven
Made for harsh environments
Modular mount
Fits multiple USVs
Autonomous operation
Minimal interaction needed
From RHIBs, to fast patrol vessels & larger naval units
Integration on boats
Deploying a UAV from a moving vessel requires dedicated hardware to ensure stable, repeatable and safe operations at sea. This includes tailor-made deployment and automatic recovery modules that adapt to the size, structure and constraints of each platform, from RHIBs to fast patrol vessels and larger naval units. These hardware integrations create the physical conditions that make reliable launch and return possible in a maritime environment, and may be complemented by software interfaces that connect the UAV to command systems of various scales.
It can also be operated in standalone mode when no onboard systems are available. In this configuration, the drone is deployed directly from the water and controlled using the GCS alone, providing a simple and effective solution for small units or rapid operations.
Drawing on years of experience across diverse vessels and operational contexts, DIODON supports naval units in implementing these hardware adaptations, software links and standalone workflows. Our role is to ensure that UAV operations become a natural extension of the platform, whatever the drone model or the vessel that carries it.
Hardware integration
Automatic launch & recovery
Adaptable to vessel size
Software integration
Compatible with varied C2
Standalone mode
Water launch deployment
GCS-only operation
Embedding uav capabilities into naval system architectures
C2 & CMS integration
Integration into command and control systems represents an important part of DIODON’s activity. We have carried out multiple integrations across different naval software environments, with the aim of making aerial video and mission data available directly within the tools used by operators.
These capabilities are already deployed on several platforms and have been used in various operational settings, ensuring that the drone’s contribution fits naturally into existing workflows.
By consolidating information within a single environment, operators gain a clearer tactical picture while avoiding parallel interfaces, resulting in more coherent and efficient mission conduct.