Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 unmanned air system (UAS) has once again successfully proven its highly efficient maritime capability, this time onboard the new Gowind class OPV (offshore patrol vessel), L’Adroit, built by DCNS and handed over to the French Navy in October 2011.

Operating at the cutting edge of technology, the S-100 successfully completed a series of flights and trials onboard the L’Adroit OPV at the beginning of November, under the command and control of the French Navy. L’Adroit is believed to be the first ship ever to be specifically designed to operate unmanned vehicles and has been fitted out to operate the maritime proven Camcopter S-100.

“With the unmanned airborne system it is possible to gather information without tiring the crew and without exposing the crew towards an enemy and/or bacteriological and/or chemical hazards or also to act as communication relay.” said DCNS OPV Manager Denis Menage.

During the four days of operation in the Bay of Biscay, the Camcopter carried out eleven flights and 89 deck landings using a harpoon developed by Schiebel. As part of the trials, the S-100 used its electro-optical and infrared sensors to identify exercise potential threats such as small boats. It was shown that the UAS significantly increases the capability of the ship and the missions conducted during the trials demonstrated its high potential for surveillance, harbour and costal patrol, environmental protection, intelligence gathering, drug interdiction, anti-piracy tasks, as well as supporting search & rescue operations.