Schiebel from Austria, together with Korean-based defence solutions companies Hanwha Systems and UI Helicopter, has been awarded a contract by the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) for the development and delivery of the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Camcopter® S-300 unmanned air system (UAS), to be operated by the Ministry of National Defense (MND). The contract was signed with Hanwha Systems for the supply of the S-300 for ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) missions for both the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC).

The ROKN has been a Schiebel customer for over ten years, regularly carrying out maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations with its S-100 UAS fleet. The changing geopolitical situation and North Korean threat call for an expansion of their UAS fleet, adding larger and heavier air vehicles with greater capability.

“We are extremely excited that the [ROKN] and Marine Corps is building on its extensive experience and success with the S-100 by awarding Hanwha the contract for Schiebel’s new long-endurance, heavy-lift-capable UAS. The S-300 marks a major milestone in the company’s history,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of Schiebel Group.

The STANAG-compliant and fully certifiable S-300 has an endurance of up to 24 hours and operates at an altitude of up to 6,400m, offering a persistent loiter capability for ISTAR operations. The heavy-lift air vehicle carries payloads of up to 250kg, making it an ideal cargo delivery solution over long distances in complex and high-altitude terrain. The versatility and flexibility of the S-300 also allows for the release of payloads such as dropping multiple sonar-buoys for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. To ensure maximum mission versatility and cost effectiveness, the heavy-lift-capable S-300 can be controlled by the same proven ground control station (GCS) used by the S-100. Schiebel’s ‘system of systems’ approach ensures the interoperability of its unmanned fleet for many years to come building on its experience derived from over 20 years of building a robust and proven VTOL core system.

Schiebel recently announced the expansion of its Abu Dhabi facility, extensively increasing its global footprint for the S-300. The new platform’s open architecture will also ensure it will be able to meet countries’ sovereignty and offset requirements.