Schiebel has successfully showcased its CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial vehicle aboard the coastguard ship KV Nordkapp in the frigid waters of Norway. This week-long trial, conducted in collaboration with Andøya Space Defense, aimed to evaluate the Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime surveillance functionalities of the UAS (unmanned aerial system) in the challenging Arctic environment, specifically at latitudes exceeding 75 degrees north.
This initiative was facilitated by Arctic 2030, a program from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs designed to uphold national interests in the northern regions. The primary goal was to illustrate how UAS can serve as an effective supplement to customary manned helicopters, significantly improving SAR operations in these isolated areas. The CAMCOPTER S-100 demonstrated its ability to function in severe weather conditions, where manned helicopters might encounter greater risks.
The UAS was outfitted with advanced technology, including a Trakka TC-300 EO/IR sensor, an Overwatch Imaging PT-8N Oceanwatch, a Radionor antenna for enhanced video feed transmission, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.
Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, stated: “The CAMCOPTER S-100 is ideally suited for maritime missions, whether in the Arctic or Antarctic regions. It has consistently shown its capability to operate in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius and withstand harsh weather conditions. We take pride in having successfully demonstrated these exceptional abilities to the Norwegian Coastguard and Navy.”
