Defence and security company Saab’s unmanned aerial system (UAS) Skeldar is now operationally deployed on-board the offshore patrol vessel BAM Meteoro. Skeldar is supporting the Spanish Navy with surveillance capabilities while taking part in the EU Atalanta operation in the Gulf of Aden.

Earlier this year Saab announced a contract to deploy the Skeldar UAS for maritime operations. Skeldar is now operationally deployed on-board the Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel BAM Meteoro.

Mikael Franzén, Director of Saab’s Product Area Tactial UAS comments:

“The Skeldar UAS is operated together with a manned helicopter to enhance the vessel’s surveillance capabilities during its mission to fight piracy as part of the EU Atalanta operation in the Gulf of Aden.”

Prior to the Atalanta deployment, successful integration trials were conducted on-board the BAM Relámpago in the waters outside the Canary Islands.

“Since signing the first contact we are seeing an increasing interest for Skeldar where more and more potential customers are discovering Skeldar’s unique strengths and features, including airworthiness, heavy fuel engine, high performance and operational capability,” concludes Mikael Franzén.

Skeldar is a rotary-wing, short- to medium-range UAV that can be controlled from a tailored control station. It can be equipped with a wide range of payloads, including surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and 3D mapping. The system can be used for both civil and military purposes.