These include anti-submarine warfare, sonobuoy deployment solutions, bathymetric scanning for Rapid Environmental Assessment, and mine countermeasures (MCM), among others

Schiebel showcased its unmanned Air System (UAS) CAMCOPTER S-100 multiple maritime capabilities at NATO’s exercises REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems) and Dynamic Messenger 2023 in Portugal.

Unmanned solutions for ASW, MCM, REA and Maritime Security Operations (MSO) are becoming increasingly relevant and applicable in today’s naval defence. Along with several partners, the CAMCOPTER S-100 demonstrated its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sonobuoy deployment solution, bathymetric scanning for Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) and Mine Counter Measures (MCM) as well as Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and profiling float deployment. The UAS’ multi-mission capability was demonstrated through a selection of different sensors and payloads by reconfiguring the CAMCOPTER S-100 between missions to conduct various operations.

At last year’s REPMUS, Schiebel, together with Thales, demonstrated the relaying of data from sonobuoys. This year, during the exercises, the S-100 deployed NATO-standard G-size sonobuoys. The combination of both these capabilities enables the Schiebel Unmanned Air System (UAS) to offer an end-to-end solution for ASW.

As for MCM, the S-100 successfully demonstrated the Airborne Laser Scanner VQ-840-G LiDAR from the Austrian company RIEGL working with Thales. Through the open architecture of the Thales MCM Mission Management System (M-CUBE), which enables rapid and flexible third-party sensor integration, the CAMCOPTER S-100 was able to perform a complete airborne MCM mine hunting capability, achieving 100% detection of all mine targets.

Schiebel also showcased its role in supporting advanced REA missions, using the S-100’s proven cargo hook to deploy the French company Seaber’s Yuco AUV, as well as the APEX profiling float from Teledyne, producing a topo bathymetric situational picture. The Fugro Rapid Airborne Multibeam Mapping System (RAMMS) from the U.S. company Areté contributed to the topo bathymetric product, specifically closing the surf zone gap, which surface assets cannot safely access.

Unmanned-Unmanned Teaming (U-UT) was presented at the NATO exercise with the S-100 relaying data from ALSEAMAR’s SEAEXPLORER glider to a Combat Management System (CMS), validating the capability of the underwater vehicle to operate in a satellite-denied environment.

“Being NATO exercises, REPMUS and Dynamic Messenger are exceptional playgrounds to demonstrate our innovative capabilities. The S-100 once again proved to be a vital unmanned asset in supporting the latest maritime defence solutions, such as ASW and MCM – offering highly sought-after capabilities”, said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

Schiebel’s partners included Areté, Thales, Seaber (Yuco), Teledyne (APEX), ALSEAMAR (SEAEXPLORER), RIEGL and Fugro. The UK Royal Navy and the U.S. Office of Naval Research sponsored the S-100’s involvement in the exercises.