Insight article: Fixed Wing vs. VTOL UAS for Maritime Missions

By Sarah Simpson / 27 Aug 2019

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Strategic Fixed Wing Aircraft vs Tactical VTOL UAVs
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Strategic Fixed Wing Aircraft vs Tactical VTOL UAVs

UMS Skeldar have released an article that explores the various advantages and disadvantages which fixed wing aircraft and VTOL UAVs bring to seaborne missions.

Written by former RAF Squadron Leader Ewen Stockbridge Syme, UMS SKELDAR a leading European provider of Rotary Wing UAVs, assess the Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) capabilities achieved by both types of unmanned aerial vehicle and the tactical advantages of each.

The article discusses the clear advantages of VTOL UAVs at sea where space is in contention verses the endurance flight times and long distance ISR capabilities of their runway requiring fixed wing counterparts.

Both capable of cost-efficient tactical deployment, the introduction of UAVs into continually changing maritime mission spaces, grants navel commander’s critical intelligence superiority, enabling them to make decisions quicker than the enemy can react.

UMS SKELDAR’s V-200 platform can be equipped with sophisticated sensors such as:

  • Synthetic Aperture Radar
  • LiDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging)
  • Hyper Spectral Imagery
  • Wide Area Motion Imagery
  • EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared)

The ability to carry multiple payloads provides greater real-time intelligence for a wide range of maritime defence and security applications including anti-piracy and coastal security.

Read the full article to find out more.

UMS SKELDAR’s heavy fuel capable V-200 platform boasts impressive maintenance schedules and ease of access to engine compartments. Sharing many characteristics with helicopters it is possible to assemble and configure the V-200 onboard a ship and in a short space of time, giving it a non-negotiable advantage during maritime missions.

Posted by Sarah Simpson Specialising in digital copy Sarah is an experienced copywriter and researcher. Working with Unmanned Systems Technology Sarah has developed a passion for sourcing unique digital content and a talent for writing about the latest technical innovations in the unmanned sector. Connect & Contact

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