The integration of IMSAR’s NSP-3 radar with Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 VTOL UAS represents a significant advancement in airborne surveillance, combining advanced radar technology with a proven drone platform.
This latest milestone, achieved in January 2025 with the first flight of the NSP-3 on the CAMCOPTER S-100, follows the successful integration and flight trials of the larger NSP-5 radar in late 2024. This collaboration further enhances the operational versatility of the S-100, providing users with a lightweight, high-performance radar solution optimized for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The S-100 is known for its ability to carry and operate multiple payloads simultaneously. Unlike the previous NSP-5 integration, which required nose or main-payload bay space, the lightweight NSP-3 system offers a unique advantage—it does not occupy these critical payload areas. This ensures that S-100 operators maintain full flexibility in configuring their ISR payloads while benefiting from the NSP-3’s dual-sided Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capability at a lower cost and with minimal impact on mission endurance.
Surveillance missions require extended endurance, long-range capabilities, and extensive coverage. When equipped with the NSP-3 and a main-payload bay electro-optical gimbal, the S-100 has demonstrated an operational reach of up to 180km from its control station and the ability to stay airborne for more than six hours. This powerful combination significantly enhances maritime surveillance operations, covering approximately 1,900 square nautical miles per hour. On land, the Ku-band NSP-3 offers advanced SAR imaging modes, including high-resolution stripmap and spotlight imaging, making it ideal for wide-area ground mapping and change detection in all-weather conditions.
A key aspect of this integration is the seamless connection between Schiebel’s Command and Control interface and IMSAR’s Lisa3D mission management software. Lisa3D simplifies flight planning, sensor control, and data visualization within a unified graphical user interface. By integrating multiple data sources—including EO/IR, radar, AIS, and ADS-B—Lisa3D enables real-time mission awareness and streamlined sensor cross-cueing. The software also enhances post-mission analysis by allowing operators to synchronize, store, and retrieve mission data through an easily searchable timeline.
Neil Hunter, Head of Global Sales at Schiebel, said, “Combining both IMSAR’s lightweight NSP-3 radar with a capable EO/IR camera gimbal significantly enhances the ISR capabilities of the S-100. With its unmatched experience and exceptional technical specifications, the CAMCOPTER ® S-100 is the perfect air system to conduct demanding operations on land and at sea.”
This integration not only expands the operational effectiveness of the S-100 but also offers an advanced, cost-effective solution for users requiring superior ISR performance across maritime and land domains.
