The French Navy is buying a further ten Schiebel Camcopter S-100 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to fly from its FREMM frigate fleet.
As per a recent Schiebel press statement, it has signed a contract with French procurement agency the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) for another five systems, each including two Camcopter S-100 drones.
The UAS are set to be deployed on the French Navy’s Frégates Européennes Multi-Mission (FREMM) warships, with Naval Group integrating the drones via its Steeris mission management system. Delivery of the new systems will begin later this year.
The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) rotary-wing drones are used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. They have a flight time of about six hours and can carry payloads of up to 50kg. They feature a wide-angle optical sensor and a gyrostabilized optronic turret.
The drones can fly day and night missions, have a range of more than 100 nautical miles, and an operational ceiling of about 18,000 feet.
The French Navy already operates three systems (six drones); its 2019 embarkation onto Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carrier Dixmude was the first operational integration of a rotary-wing UAS into a European naval Combat Management System (CMS).
Director of Schiebel Aéronaval SAS Lubos Sramek commented: “This follow-on order reflects the system’s capabilities, as well as maturity and the confidence placed in its performance at sea. We are proud to continue supporting the French Navy with a proven and operationally deployed VTOL UAS.”
In February it was announced that the Hellenic Navy’s new FDI HN warships would also deploy Schiebel Camcopter S-100 drones.
From 2028 the French Navy will also start operating six Airbus VSR700 UAS from its FREMM and FDI frigates and BRF supply vessels, again controlled using the Steeris system.
- You can read more details about the S-100 deal on the Schiebel website