French Navy Orders More Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 UAVs

SCHIEBEL has received an order for five additional CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for the French Navy’s (Marine Nationale) unmanned aviation programme through the French Government defence procurement and technology agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement, DGA) and Naval Group.

Naval Group, as prime contractor and lead system integrator will deploy and integrate the systems on the Frégates Européennes Multi-Mission (FREMM) ships including mission management through the Steeris MS system.

Each system consists of two CAMCOPTER S-100 UAVs, increasing the French Navy’s total fleet to eight units once deliveries are completed. The systems will be delivered progressively from 2026 onwards. The French Navy has operated and deployed the CAMCOPTER  S-100 globally at sea since 2012 when the system was first fully integrated aboard the former French Gowind-class patrol vessel FS L’Adroit. In 2019, the S-100 was then integrated on the Mistral-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) FS Dixmude, marking the first operational integration of a rotary-wing unmanned air system (UAS) with a European naval combat management system (CMS). In 2020, the French Navy expanded its capability with the acquisition of two additional S-100 systems deployed aboard the FS Mistral and sister vessel FS Tonnerre.

The S-100 provides maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while operated from naval vessels without the need for launch or recovery equipment. Its compact footprint and proven shipborne performance enable flexible deployment across a wide range of missions, and different classes of ships.

Schiebel Aeronaval SAS Director Lubos Sramek said, “The French Navy was among the first European naval forces to operationally integrate the CAMCOPTER S-100 into its shipborne operations. This follow-on order reflects the system’s capabilities, as well as maturity and the confidence placed in its performance at sea. We are proud to continue supporting the French Navy with a proven and operationally deployed VTOL UAS.”–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:MARINE NATIONALE)