Australian navy selects Camcopter S-100
Schiebel has been awarded a contract by the Royal Australian Navy for the supply of the Camcopter S-100 UAV and three years of follow-on contractor logistics support, the company announced on 6 February.
The company submitted the S-100 for the navy's February 2016 UAS request for tender (RfT). The competition is understood to have included the UMS Skeldar.
The contract with Schiebel was awarded in December 2016 following proposal evaluation and negotiations.
The Camcopter is being acquired under Navy Minor Project (NMP) 1942, which requires a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV that is capable of covering an area of 400nm² for four hours and at a distance of 60nm from the host vessel.
Hans Georg Schiebel, owner of Schiebel Group, said: 'We feel most honoured by the Royal Australian Navy's decision to purchase our Camcopter S-100 UAS. We are sure that the S-100 will prove to be an effective asset that will set a new benchmark for UAS capability.'
An initial training system is expected to be delivered within six months of the contract announcement, and the S-100 will be used to build experience in operating a VTOL UAV aboard ships ahead of a major acquisition programme (two phases of Joint Project 129).
JP129 will oversee the purchase of one or two types of larger VTOL platforms for operation from the RAN's Future Frigate and, possibly, offshore patrol vessels that will be acquired in coming years.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
