The CAMCOPTER S-100 this year showed an enhanced sonobuoy dispenser system. Credit: Stahlkocher/commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons). 

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. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

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. 

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

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. 

Naval Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Naval Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has secured the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) suite. Discover how its explainable AI is transforming maintenance, sustainment and mission readiness, giving defence leaders faster, clearer, and more confident operational decisions.

Discover the Impact