Zodiac Milpro unveils the EQUINOX 930 USV, setting a new benchmark in autonomous and modular surface drones

Zodiac Milpro has officially launched the EQUINOX 930 USV, marking a significant milestone as the company enters the uncrewed surface vessel market. Drawing on decades of proven expertise in designing and manufacturing rugged military and professional watercraft, the group is successfully transferring its maritime craftsmanship to unmanned naval platforms to meet the evolving operational requirements of modern armed forces.

Measuring 9.3 meters in length and constructed entirely from durable aluminum, this new surface drone is engineered for demanding environments. It is capable of speeds exceeding 40 knots while delivering an operational range of over 600 nautical miles, depending on sea conditions. Its overall design focuses heavily on extreme versatility, ensuring that naval operators do not need to develop a specialized vessel for every distinct mission profile.

At the core of this capability is an advanced multi-mission modularity. The EQUINOX 930 features a configurable mission bay, a dedicated aft deck, and a central moonpool, allowing it to support interchangeable payloads of up to 800 kg. Whether conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, protecting forces, performing hydrographic surveys, or executing mine countermeasures, the platform adapts seamlessly based on the integrated equipment.

Interoperability represents another foundational pillar of the vessel’s architecture. Driven by Zodiac Milpro’s proprietary Vessel Control System (VCS), the drone manages all on-board functions, ranging from remote navigation and waypoint programming to platform supervision and video stream handling. This architecture is intentionally open and agnostic toward third-party autonomy providers, granting customers complete freedom in choosing their preferred technology stack.

Finally, logistics and deployment flexibility shaped the entire engineering process. The EQUINOX 930 USV fits effortlessly inside a standard 40-foot ISO container, remains fully compatible with existing launch and recovery infrastructure such as cradles and davits, and is even air-droppable for rapid worldwide deployment. Supported by Zodiac Milpro’s international manufacturing footprint and comprehensive lifecycle maintenance and training services, this inaugural drone underscores the company’s enduring commitment to providing practical, frontline solutions for operators in the field.