Schiebel S-100 Camcopter

Summary

Description

The S-100 Camcopter is an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the shape of a helicopter, developed and manufactured by the Austrian company Schiebel. Since its introduction, the S-100 Camcopter has become a prominent choice for both military and civilian sectors due to its adaptability, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, and impressive endurance.

The Schiebel company, originally founded in 1951, was well-established as a producer of electronic equipment. In the 2000s, they decided to foray into the UAV industry, leveraging their electronic expertise. The result was the Camcopter S-100, a VTOL UAV designed to be a versatile platform capable of executing a myriad of missions without the logistical challenges associated with fixed-wing UAVs.

Featuring a traditional helicopter design, the S-100 has a sleek fuselage and a single main rotor and tail rotor. This design grants it full VTOL capabilities, making it adaptable for deployments in environments without airstrips, like ships or rugged terrains. The UAV is powered by a Diamond Engines AE50R rotary engine, providing sufficient power for maintaining its extended endurance and the ability to carry various payloads. Regarding its avionics and sensors suite, the S-100 can be fitted with a range of payloads to suit specific mission requirements. This includes radar systems, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, laser designators, and even electronic warfare systems. Furthermore, there has been interest in arming the S-100, which could make it capable of strike missions.

Since its introduction, the S-100 Camcopter has seen a diverse range of applications. On the military front, it has been used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. For civilian applications, it has served in areas like maritime surveillance, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.

The S-100 has been particularly popular for naval operations, as its VTOL capabilities allow it to operate from a variety of ship classes without the need for significant modifications to the vessel.

The primary version in operational use is the Camcopter S-100. While there's a core design, the S-100 can be customized with different payloads and equipment based on the client's needs, making each deployment somewhat unique in terms of its capabilities.

Technical specifications

All operators

United Arab Emirates • Argentina • Australia • Belgium • China • Egypt • France • United Kingdom • Italy • Jordan • Libya • Myanmar • Mozambique • Malaysia • Russia • Thailand • Tunisia • United States