PREMIUM: Northrop Grumman puts full weight behind Firebird maritime makeover
Northrop Grumman expects to shortly integrate a maritime radar on its Firebird optionally piloted MALE UAV.
Schiebel has demonstrated the capabilities of the S-100 Camcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to Dutch authorities in the North Sea, west of Den Helder in the Netherlands.
The S-100, carrying an L3 Wescam MX-10 electro-optic sensor payload, performed demonstrations across a range of maritime scenarios from a Dutch navy vessel, highlighting Camcopter’s ability to bring commanders and decision makers time-critical information quickly and efficiently.
Scenarios included deploying the S-100 to assess risks and determine the possible locations of missing crew members following a fire onboard a vessel carrying dangerous substances. Another saw the S-100 deployed to follow a suspect vessel involved in smuggling operations, relaying live feed to commanders to inform decision making.
Hans Georg Schiebel, chairman, Schiebel Group, said: ‘This series of trials once again showed how the S-100 can provide a cost effective capability to maritime commanders and decision makers whether ashore or afloat.’
Northrop Grumman expects to shortly integrate a maritime radar on its Firebird optionally piloted MALE UAV.
A pair of MQ-9As can no longer be operated and owned by General Atomics for strike and targeting missions in the CENTCOM area of operations.
A US DoD contract has revealed that the UK has agreed to buy an additional MQ-9 Reaper. The thinking behind this may be associated with a need to maintain unmanned operational output ahead of the introduction of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
The design of the Seahawk medium USV reflects lessons learned from the predecessor Sea Hunter vessel.
New framework deal sees Camcopter S-100 used for emissions monitoring and maritime surveillance.
Latest addition to the V-Bat portfolio features higher operational ceiling and heavier payload capacity.