French A400M Clears New Role with Air-Drop Test of Commando Boat System

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has completed a fast-tracked test campaign enabling the Ecume commando boat to be airdropped from an A400M military transport aircraft.

The new air-drop capability, validated on March 25, allows French marine commandos to deploy autonomously and rapidly from the air into remote maritime zones.

The campaign, which took just six weeks to design and execute, was carried out by experts from DGA Aerospace Technology and DGA Flight Tests. It marks the expansion of a capability previously limited to the C-130H fleet.

The Ecume, short for Embarkable Multi-Purpose Commando Craft, is designed for special naval operations and can now be deployed mid-air via parachute using an evolved system known as the Système de Largage Écume (SLE). The SLE had been in operational use aboard C-130H and C-130H-30 aircraft. For A400M use, the DGA had to redesign its packaging to accommodate the aircraft’s specific requirements.

This new packaging was developed using only existing equipment available within the armed forces. It was designed to be both cost-effective and compatible with current performance standards.

The modification effort began in late 2024 after the French Navy requested an improved solution without major changes to the existing system. Numerical simulations and ground tests were conducted prior to the March 25 live drop, which confirmed that the Ecume could be safely and effectively released from the A400M in flight.

The test was carried out in close coordination with the French Navy, the Air and Space Force, and the Army. According to the DGA, the successful drop now paves the way for full operational use of the Ecume from A400M platforms—marking a step forward in the aircraft’s maritime special operations (MSO) capabilities.