Schiebel Camcopter S-100 concludes search and rescue flight trials in Norway.

Schiebel successfully demonstrated the shipboard integration of its Camcopter S-100 as well as its impressive search and rescue (SAR) capabilities to the Norwegian Coast Guard on board of the KV Svalbard from 16 to 27 September 2019.

Camcopter S-100 sensor image (Picture source: Schiebel)

The outstanding flight trials included a successful search and rescue mission, where the Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air System (UAS) Camcopter S100 and a manned Sea King helicopter teamed up in a simulated “man overboard” operation.

The “man overboard” dummy was found by the Camcopter S-100, which was equipped with the Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch wide-area maritime surveillance payload, the high-quality L3 Harris Wescam MX-10 real-time Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera and the Schiebel-designed harpoon system, which supports takeoff and landing in conditions up to Sea State 5. The images were transmitted in real-time to the operational room on board of the KV Svalbard and a local land-based control centre via its Radionor’s Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR) link where it was disseminated via the internet and broadcast to the Joint Rescue Center. Subsequently, the manned helicopter retrieved the dummy from the water to the deck of the KV Svalbard.

“This successful search and rescue trial is another great example of Schiebel continuously staying ahead of the curve. The S-100 is the only VTOL UAS outside of the United States that is routinely flying from ships and in addition it is capable to carry a multitude of payloads. Especially for maritime search and rescue missions, the capabilities of the S-100 convince customers, given its compact size and its ability to scan vast areas for small objects,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.