Successful Resolution of Man Overboard Scenario

Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER S-100 successfully demonstrated shipboard integration of its CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial system (UAS) to the Norwegian Coast Guard, as well as its broad search and rescue (SAR) capabilities, the Vienna-based company announced on 7 October.

The trials, on board the KV SVALBARD, took place in mid- to late September and included a successful SAR mission in which the UAS was teamed with a manned SEA KING helicopter in a simulated ‘man overboard’ operation. The CAMCOPTER, equipped with an Overwatch Imaging PT-8 OCEANWATCH wide-area maritime surveillance payload, an L3 Harris Wescam MX-10 electro-optical/infrared camera and the Schiebel-designed harpoon system, which supports takeoff and landing in conditions up to Sea State 5, successfully located the simulated casualty. Images were transmitted in real time to the operational room on SVALBARD and a local land-based control centre via the air vehicle’s Radionor Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR) link, where it was disseminated via the internet and broadcast to the Joint Rescue Centre. Subsequently, the manned helicopter retrieved the dummy from the water to the deck of the Norwegian offshore patrol vessel/icebreaker.

“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 it being able to scan vast areas for small objects,” commented Schiebel Group Chairman, Hans Georg Schiebel.