Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 completes qualification flights on French Mistral ship

Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 unmanned air system (UAS) has successfully completed qualification flight trials in the Western Mediterranean.

The tests were conducted on the French Navy’s newest Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement (BPC) Dixmude.

The fleet is currently undergoing a modernisation process, which will see Schiebel participate in flight trials in order to confirm the vessel’s ship helicopter operating limits (SHOL) and to qualify the Camcopter S-100’s integration onto the BPC Dixmude.

Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 performed approximately 30 take-offs and landings within a total of 15 flight hours, during both day and night, as part of the demonstration period.

The French Navy deployed Canadian company L3 Wescam’s MX-10 electro-optical / infrared systems (EO / IR) tactical surveillance system to transmit daylight and infrared data.

The MX-10 system was operated independently by the French Navy’s CEPA / 10s crew during the trials.

Schiebel's Camcopter UAS has successfully proven to be an important asset for the French Navy's more demanding maritime operations.

It requires no prepared area or supporting equipment to carry out launch and recovery, and is considered an operationally proven capability for both military and civilian applications.

The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system can operate day and night, and under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability of up to 200km over land and sea.

Schiebel successfully completed flight trials of its Camcopter S-100 UAS at Andøya Test Center (ATC) in Norway in May.

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Image: Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned air system. Photo: courtesy of User: Stahlkocher.