Naval Technology

Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 demos ASW, MCM and REA

The S-100 demonstrated its uncrewed airborne capabilities during the three weeks of exercise REPMUS 2024.

Schiebel has demonstrated the CAMCOPTER S-100 uncrewed air system’s (UAS) multi-mission maritime capabilities in partnership with Thales.

Sponsored by the UK Royal Navy, the S-100 took part in the operations during the NATO-supported three-week exercise REPMUS 2024, hosted by the Portuguese Navy.

The operations include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) and Mine Counter Measures (MCM).

This year, the CAMCOPTER S-100 showed an enhanced sonobuoy dispenser system, deploying both A-size and four G-size sonobuoys to form an ASW barrier.

A second S-100, with Thales BlueTracker communications payload, relayed sonobuoy signals back to the ground station in real time, extending the range of operation.

The Thales M-Cube Mission Management System was used for planning and monitoring, with BlueTracker processing acoustic signals and disseminating underwater target information to the combat management system, demonstrating an integrated ASW capability.

Schiebel equipped the CAMCOPTER S-100 with advanced laser scanners from Riegl, including the VQ-860-G and the VUX-120 LiDARs.

These enabled the S-100 to conduct both bathymetric and topographic mapping, crucial for detecting sea mines for MCM and supporting amphibious operations for REA.

The Thales M-Cube Mission Management System was again used for mission planning and monitoring, with mine clearance divers completing the identification of detected mines, showcasing an end-to-end capability for MCM and REA operations.

Schiebel Group chairman Hans Georg Schiebel said: “Maritime warfare utilising UAS is becoming more and more front of mind for Navies all over the world. Using the latest technology combined with a proven unmanned asset provides an end-to-end solution for ASW that saves valuable time and significantly reduces risks.

“With our 20 plus years of operational experience, especially in the harsh maritime environment flying from ships, and the exceptional technical specifications of the S-100, it is the ideal UAS to showcase the latest unmanned airborne capabilities at REPMUS.”

In 2022, Schiebel, in collaboration with Thales, tested the Camcopter S-100's ability to relay acoustic buoy surveillance.