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Safran VIGY 4
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Safran VIGY 4

Safran electro-optical/infrared surveillance camera system.

Last refreshed: 18 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why are established naval sensors like the Safran VIGY 4 moving onto uncrewed vessels?

Timeline for Safran VIGY 4

#7 15 Jul

Provided electro-optical/infrared surveillance during trials

Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: Tethered drone flies from robot boat
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Background

The Safran VIGY 4 is a French electro-optical/infrared surveillance camera system, fitted to Exail's DriX O-16 uncrewed surface vessel during sea trials completed on 15 July 2026, alongside an Elistair Khronos tethered drone.

Built by French defence electronics group Safran, the VIGY 4 combines day and night imaging in one turret to give a ship or vehicle continuous visual and thermal surveillance regardless of light conditions. Fitting an established naval sensor of this kind to an uncrewed hull shows established maritime surveillance equipment migrating from crewed warships onto autonomous platforms, extending detection range without putting a crew in harm's way.

Common Questions
What does the Safran VIGY 4 do?
The Safran VIGY 4 is an electro-optical/infrared camera system giving a ship or vehicle continuous day and night visual and thermal surveillance.Source: event
Where has the Safran VIGY 4 been tested on an uncrewed ship?
The Safran VIGY 4 was fitted to Exail's DriX O-16 uncrewed surface vessel for sea trials completed on 15 July 2026, alongside an Elistair Khronos drone.Source: event
Why integrate the VIGY 4 on an uncrewed vessel?
Fitting an established naval camera system to an uncrewed hull extends surveillance range without putting a crew aboard, part of a wider shift toward autonomous maritime platforms.Source: event