Schiebel Pacific has welcomed the decision of the Commonwealth of Australia to speed up the provision of its Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) capability by initiating a single source acquisition of the CAMCOPTER S-100 under the SEA 129 Phase 5 program for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This will enable the RAN to accelerate the capability acquisition it needs.
Together with local partners, Schiebel is committed to delivering a high-performing UAS solution for the RAN. The proposed Maritime UAS builds on the capability that has been provided by the proven CAMCOPTER S-100 air vehicle currently in service with the RAN and is expected to create around 100 new jobs in Australia. The design, development, manufacture, integration and support of the system will all be undertaken in Australia.
The CAMCOPTER S-100 is a proven Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) unmanned helicopter that can operate day or night to undertake a variety of civilian and military applications under challenging weather conditions.
Operators can assume direct control via the flight unit or pre-program the aircraft for autonomous operation with a series of GPS waypoints. The CAMCOPTER S-100 is fitted with dually redundant Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), resulting in highly accurate navigation and reliable, solid stability.
With no need for a prepared take off/landing area or launch and recovery equipment, the CAMCOPTER S-100 is quick and easy to deploy in the field. Payload imagery, data and status information are all transmitted to the Ground Control Station in real time.
