Tag Archives: Schiebel

Air Force

Manned-Unmanned
Teaming capabilities

Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel have tested Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities between an H145 platform and a CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS), thus becoming the first European helicopter manufacturers to demonstrate this technology with the highest level of interoperability (LOI°5).

Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel have tested Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM\u002DT) capabilities between an H145 platform and a CAMCOPTER S\u002D100 Unmanned Air System (UAS), thus becoming the first European helicopter manufacturers to demonstrate this technology with the highest level of interoperability (LOI°5)
Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel have tested Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM\u002DT) capabilities between an H145 platform and a CAMCOPTER S\u002D100 Unmanned Air System (UAS), thus becoming the first European helicopter manufacturers to demonstrate this technology with the highest level of interoperability (LOI°5)

The companies carried out test flights with the support of the Austrian Armaments and Defence Technology Agency. The two aircraft jointly flew different scenarios including the detection of objects hidden in places not accessible by traditional helicopters. The S-100 was controlled and piloted by an operator sitting in the helicopter. During the flights, the control was also temporarily handed over to a ground-based control station by the pilot in order to simulate the return of the manned helicopter for refueling.

The trials carried out by Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel went up to MUM-T LOI 5. This allows the manned platform to exercise full control of the UAS including its take-off and landing. LOI 1, the lowest level, is the indirect receipt and /or transmission of sensor data obtained by the UAS to the manned aircraft.

«Manned-Unmanned Teaming multiplies the capabilities of both systems», said Mark R. Henning, Program Manager at Airbus Helicopters. Smaller UAS with vertical take-off and landing capabilities can, for example, fly around obstacles as trees or buildings closer than a helicopter could. They are able to explore unknown territory and deliver information to the helicopter crew which is operating from a safe position and which can then step in with the helicopter’s superior effects, having received a clear picture from the UAS. Our airborne MUM-T management system will become a highly attractive feature for our entire product range including the NH90, NFH, and the Tiger together with the H145 as it adds an extremely valuable operational capability. The MUM-T capability can be implemented in any kind of helicopter and can interact with all types of unmanned systems, in particular Airbus Helicopters’ new VSR 700 UAS.

In the framework of the test, the challenges of data transfer interference and electromagnetic compatibility of the UAS with the helicopter as well as the integration of a complete UAS mission planning and control system into the helicopter’s architecture were successfully managed. The S-100 mission planning and control system was provided by Schiebel. The next step will be to optimize the human machine interface based on a thorough analysis of the crew workload using the results of the flight tests.

The H145 is a tried-and-tested, twin-engine H145 civil helicopter that was first delivered in 2014. It is a rugged workhorse and best in its class for rough EMS and police missions. The H145M is the helicopter’s military version.

Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel successfully demonstrate the highest levels of Manned-Unmanned Teaming capabilities
Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel successfully demonstrate the highest levels of Manned-Unmanned Teaming capabilities
Unmanned Systems

Heavy Fuel Capability

Schiebel has successfully demonstrated the heavy fuel variant of the Camcopter S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) as part of its customer acceptance program with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Schiebel says that the heavy fuel variant of its Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopter demonstrated its ability to deliver imagery from operational ranges of up to 108 NM/124 miles/200 km as well as altitudes above 18,000 feet/5,486 m (Schiebel photo)
Schiebel says that the heavy fuel variant of its Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopter demonstrated its ability to deliver imagery from operational ranges of up to 108 NM/124 miles/200 km as well as altitudes above 18,000 feet/5,486 m (Schiebel photo)

Under the directive of the Navy Minor Project (NMP) 1942 to procure a vertical takeoff and landing Maritime Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System – Interim Capability (MTUAS-IC), RAN sought a platform for shipborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). Selected for its maturity and demonstrated capability, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS successfully completed its flying program for the RAN validation and verification customer acceptance program at the Jervis Bay Airfield facilities in New South Wales, Australia.

In a comprehensive series of tests, the JP-5 (NATO F-44) heavy fuel powered Camcopter S-100, equipped with a Wescam MX-10S payload and at operational ranges of up to 60 nautical miles as well as altitudes above 10 000 feet, presented its ability to deliver world-class imagery to commanders.

As the RAN Contract Manager Kevin Beare noted, «The heavy fuel variant of the S-100 has performed very well during the validation and verification program and the RAN looks forward to utilising this platform to achieve NMP1942 project objectives over the coming years».

«The S-100 will prove to be an effective asset in enhancing the Navy’s ISR capabilities», said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. «We are excited about the positive feedback we are receiving from RAN and are looking forward to continued cooperation in the future».

 

About Schiebel

Founded in 1951, the Vienna-based Schiebel Group focuses on the development, testing and production of state-of-the-art mine detection equipment and the revolutionary Camcopter S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). Schiebel has built an international reputation for producing quality defense and humanitarian products, which are backed by exceptional after-sales service and support. Since 2010, Schiebel’s composite division supplies high-tech customers with products of supreme carbon fiber technology – all quality-controlled to meet ISO 9001 standards. With headquarters in Vienna (Austria), Schiebel now maintains production facilities in Wiener Neustadt (Austria) and Abu Dhabi (UAE), as well as offices in Washington DC (USA) and Phnom Penh (Cambodia).

 

About the Camcopter S-100

Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) is an operationally proven capability for military and civilian applications. The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS requires no prepared area or supporting equipment to enable launch and recovery. It operates in day and night, under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability out to 108 NM/124 miles/200 km, over land and sea. Its carbon fiber and titanium fuselage provides capacity for a wide range of payload/endurance combinations up to a service ceiling of 18,000 feet/5,486 m. In a typical configuration, the Camcopter S-100 carries a 75 lbs./34 kg payload up to 10 hours and is powered with AVGas or JP-5 heavy fuel. High-definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real time. In addition to its standard GPS waypoint or manual navigation, the S-100 can successfully operate in environments where GPS is not available, with missions planned and controlled via a simple point-and-click graphical user interface. The high-tech unmanned helicopter is backed by Schiebel’s excellent customer support and training services.

Air

Outstanding capabilities

The cooperation between Schiebel, manufacturer of the world’s most capable Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), the CAMCOPTER S-100, and the German company Diehl Defence has been strengthened recently.

The Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAS needs no prepared area or supporting launch or recovery equipment
The Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAS needs no prepared area or supporting launch or recovery equipment

«Celebrating a milestone like the 10th anniversary of the CAMCOPTER S-100 with more than 300 units sold is a good moment to reflect on where we are today and where we will go in the future. Today we are the world’s leading producer of unmanned helicopters and we plan on further strengthening our position», explains Hans Georg Schiebel, owner of the Vienna-based company.

«The renewal of the teaming agreement is the result of the longstanding cooperation between Diehl Defence and Schiebel. We consider Schiebel a highly competent partner and believe the CAMCOPTER S-100 is the best possible product for all remotely piloted aircraft operations of the German Navy», says Helmut Rauch, member of the Division Board of Diehl Defence.

Schiebel and its partner Diehl Defence represent a strong and complementary team, ideally positioned to meet the demanding requirements of the German customer. Diehl Defence possesses broad know-how in the integration of different defence systems and surveillance equipment into German Navy vessels while Schiebel produces the UAS.

With an impressive track record of supporting maritime customers, the CAMCOPTER S-100 system has meanwhile been successfully proven on over 30 different vessels on all the world’s oceans, demonstrating its outstanding capabilities day and night, in all weather conditions, a proven track record that is unmatched. It is currently deployed with a number of important naval clients in conventional littoral reconnaissance roles; however, the CAMCOPTER S-100 has likewise proven to be hugely successful in the Search and Rescue role. Working with the NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) in the Mediterranean, around 25 000 migrants have been found and rescued since 2014.

In 2008, Schiebel completed extensive flight trials onboard the German Navy’s K130 Class Corvettes Braunschweig and Magdeburg in the Baltic Sea. The S-100 completed more than 130 takeoffs and landings in a total flight time of just 20 hours, achieving results well in excess of expectations and trial requirements. Since then – amongst others – several developments have since taken place to enhance the UAS further. Especially for naval use with the availability of a new heavy fuel engine.

It operates day and night, under adverse weather conditions, with a range out to 200 km, both on land and at sea
It operates day and night, under adverse weather conditions, with a range out to 200 km, both on land and at sea

 

TECHNICAL DATA

Autonomy fully autonomous take-off, waypoint navigation and landing
Navigation redundant INS and GPS
Power plant 50 HP rotary engine
Data/video link fully digital, compressed video (up to four simultaneous feeds)
Typical D/L range 27, 54 or 108 NM/31, 62 or 124 miles/50, 100 or 200 km
Dash speed 120 knots/138 mph/222 km/h
Cruise speed 55 knots/63 mph/102 km/h (for best endurance)
Endurance >6 hours with 75 lbs/34 kg payload plus optional external fuel tank extending endurance to >10 hours
Typical payload 110 lbs/50 kg
Material Take-Off (MTO) weight 440 lbs/200 kg
Empty weight 243 lbs/110 kg
Maximum dimensions Length – 3,110 mm/122.4 inch
Height – 1,120 mm/44 inch
Width – 1,240 mm/48.8 inch
Main rotor diameter 3,400 mm/133.8 inch