Pacific 2017: Schiebel and Skeldar spar in Australia
Australia is shaping up as a battleground for suppliers of rotary-winged UAVs as the country’s military eyes future acquisitions. Two top contenders are Schiebel and UMS Skeldar, and the gloves are starting to come off as competition intensifies.
Schiebel enjoyed a significant head start when it was selected in December 2016 to fulfil the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) interim requirement under NMP1942 for a VTOL UAV. It received a three-year contract for two Camcopter S-100 aircraft and two ground control stations.
As part of that obligation, Schiebel will next month deliver heavy fuel versions of its S-100 to the RAN.
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