What is CAMCOPTER S-100?

July 8, 2024

India is in the process of harnessing the capability of a rotary unmanned aerial system as part of a deal with Austrian company Schiebel for their renowned Camcopter S-100 ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the country.

About CAMCOPTER S-100:

It is an Australian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) using a rotorcraft design.
Produced by the Austrian company Schiebel, it was developed from 2003 to 2005.
Features:
- It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 200 kg with 6 hours of endurance.
- It has a maximum speed of 220 km/hr and a ceiling of 5,500 m.
- It is powered by a heavy fuel engine and can carry multiple payloads which are surveillance as well as tactical in nature. The maximum payload weight is 50 kg.
- It needs no prepared area or supporting launch or recovery equipment. It operates day and night, under adverse weather conditions.
- The S-100 navigates automatically via pre-programmed GPS waypoints or can be operated directly with a pilot control unit.
- Missions are planned and controlled via a simple point-and-click graphical user interface.
- High-definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real time.
- Using “fly-by-wire” technology controlled by redundant flight computers, the UAV can complete its mission automatically in the most complex of electromagnetic environments.