Schiebel, together with Andøya Space Defence, successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the CAMCOPTER S-100 on board the coastguard vessel KV Nordkapp in Norwegian waters. The purpose of the trials was to demonstrate the embarked Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime surveillance capabilities of the CAMCOPTER S-100 in the environmental conditions of the Arctic in latitudes above 75 degrees north.
The week-long trial was made possible through “Arctic 2030”, a Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs programme, which aims to sustain Norwegian interests in the far north. The aim was to demonstrate that Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) ideally supplement manned helicopters, greatly enhancing SAR efforts in this remote part of the world. The CAMCOPTER S-100 proved that it can operate in adverse weather conditions, where manned helicopters can be at higher risk. The UAS was equipped with a Trakka TC-300 EO/IR sensor, an Overwatch Imaging PT-8N Oceanwatch, a Radionor antenna as additional data link for video feed transmission as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.
Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said: “The CAMCOPTER S-100 is perfect for maritime operations, including in the Arctic or Antarctic. It has proven several times that it can operate in temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius and under harsh weather conditions. We’re proud to have been able to successfully demonstrate these remarkable capabilities to the Norwegian Coastguard and Navy.”
Primoco UAV SE and UMS Skeldar team up
Czech-based Primoco UAV SE and Swiss-Swedish UMS Skeldar have teamed up as part of a cooperation agreement to provide selected customers with a combination of the Primoco One 150 fixed-wing and UMS Skeldar’s V-150 rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Enabling organisations the versatility to use both platforms as part of their missions, this agreement is a significant step forwards in terms of how UAVs can be used to form one solution. Both platforms, positioned within the same specified category as per the EASA regulatory framework, share the same communication datalink system, which makes the simultaneous operation of both aircraft from one ground control station possible. In addition, the One 150 and V-150 also share many payload options with further synergies provided in the logistics and data processing areas. With both companies having been previously granted with operational approvals under the new EASA drone regulations, this joined up solution is also fully compliant with the latest aviation regulations in relation to Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operations.
Axel Cavalli-Bjorkman, chief executive officer of UMS Skeldar, said, “We are delighted to be a part of this agreement with Primoco UAV SE. Providing both our Vertical Take-Off and Landing V-150 and Primoco’s One 150 as one solution gives organisations the versatility they need to complete their often complicated missions. We pride ourselves at UMS as being an innovation leader when it comes to advances in rotary-wing UAV platforms. Our V-150 platform is a prime example of this, with a capability to complete remote automatic flights, hold multiple payloads and ability to provide a high-degree of maintainability and minimum turn-around times during operations. Alongside Primoco’s advanced fixed-wing solution, we believe this agreement will give customers exactly what they need for their UAV missions.”