French Navy receives second Camcopter S-100 UAS

The French Navy has taken delivery of its second Camcopter S-100 UAS from Austrian unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer Schiebel, France’s defense procurement agency (DGA) has announced.

As disclosed, the UAS was delivered in November when it performed its first flight test aboard amphibious assault ship BPC Dixmude off Toulon.

The complete integration of the system, which will consist of two UAS equipped with Automatic Identification Systems and MX-10 optronic payloads, onto the BPC Dixmude will take place in early 2019.

Modifications to the 199-meter long helicopter carrier will include the installation of new antennas and navigation systems, establishment of UAS maintenance space in the hangar, and installation of a drone mission console which will be connected to the SENIT 9 combat system. The system will also be integrated into the video on board network.

The UAS are scheduled to resume flights in spring 2019.

Delivery of the second drone follows successful trials which were completed in June 2017, also aboard BPC Dixmude.

The S-100 is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS which has a range of about 200 km, both on land and at sea.