Schiebel’s Camcopter S-300 has been selected as the dedicated unmanned air system (UAS) for a major European Defence Fund (EDF)-enabled maritime security exercise set to take place later in the decade. The Swiss company announced on January 13 that the rotary-wing aircraft will be utilized by the Thales-led SEACURE industry consortium. This consortium aims to showcase the feasibility of a sovereign European capability in future autonomous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and seabed warfare (SBW).
The Camcopter S-300 offers longer endurance and higher payload capacity compared to its predecessor, the S-100, enabling new possibilities for ASW and SBW operations. With an operating endurance of more than 24 hours and a maximum take-off weight of 700kg, the UAS can carry an electro-optical/infrared camera and inverse synthetic aperture radar payload. Alternatively, it can operate for 6 hours with a maximum payload of 250kg.
The SEACURE project, launched in November and lasting 45 months, involves 35 companies from 13 European nations. The project is focused on the detection, classification, identification, and tracking of underwater threats in challenging conditions using air, surface, and underwater drones. The EDF-backed initiative is expected to culminate in a major sea trial by 2028, reflecting the growing importance of protecting maritime infrastructure of national interest in light of recent events.
