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2017-08-10

SKELDAR V-200 : Smart Thinking Makes A Difference

SKELDAR V-200, a remotely piloted aerial system, specialises in intelligence gathering and imagery for civilian and military missions. UMS SKELDAR is a joint venture between Saab and UMS Aero Group AG, a Swiss supplier of tactical UAVs.

UMS SKELDAR has purchased the SKELDAR V-200 – the NATO-compliant heavy fuel engine rotary UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). This multi role platform has become the flagship aircraft and is the key focus for the business going forwards.

UMS AERO – the Swiss partner – has developed in partnership with German-based ESG the R350, a smaller, modular unmanned helicopter. This rotary platform is also available with a heavy fuel engine and is an ideal trainer as an introduction to the SKELDAR V-200 or for a range of applications such as police or security. Being under 150kg Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), the R-350 requires only national certification, adding to its operational capabilities. UMS AERO also includes a legacy fixed wing portfolio.

SKELDAR V-200 medium-range UAV

Used in a wide range of applications such as reconnaissance, identification, target acquisition and electronic warfare, SKELDAR V-200 medium-range UAV can hover for hours while providing real-time information to a control station or remote video terminal. The compact solution is fully autonomous, controlled by high-level-commands such as “Point and Fly” and “Point and Look”.

The Virtual Take-Off & Landing (VTOL) system has a common control concept and user interface for command, control and payload management. It is equipped with multiple capabilities including surveillance and 3-D mapping.

Unmatched technology

SKELDAR V-200 is maritime ready. On watch, all the time, real time and unmatched in its class. It is an open interface to Battlefield Management System (BMS) and C4ISR systems, and is also 4865 STANAG compliant, making it easier to implement on any maritime vessel.

With multiple payload options, robust engineering and uniquely incorporating heavy fuel, SKELDAR V-200 is the perfect Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for maritime and naval operations.

It can be operated by two people inside the ship without additional material or media for take-off. Controlled by the shipboard crew, there’s no need for a dedicated UAV crew. The operator can use Point-and-Fly or Point-and-See to guide the UAV.

Once the route is set, the UAV autonomously flies towards the target, through assigned way points, and delivers real-time data to the control station and remote video terminals.

A number of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS), high-resolution Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electronic Warfare (EW) sensors are available.

Reliable fuel systems

At sea there is no room for error, and the SKELDAR V-200 heavy fuel engine makes it a UAV of choice for navy commanders or any maritime installations. This advanced engine provides additional landing and take-off assurance in environments where conventional fuels are prohibited. The SKELDAR V-200 uses JP-8, a kerosene-based fuel (NATO code F-34).

At home on land or sea

This flexible rotary VTOL is suited to a range of military and civilian applications from oil exploration platforms and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations to C4ISR missions from battlefield situations, border surveillance and security patrols. Equally at home at land or sea, the V-200 is recognised as a best-in-class VTOL in its endurance segment.

STANAG 4865 compliant
The fact that it is not just an open interface to Battlefield Management System (BMS) and C4ISR systems, but also 4865 STANAG compliant, makes it easier to implement on any maritime vessel. Designed for civilian and military missions, this unmatched Virtual Take-Off & Landing (VTOL) system benefits from a common control concept and user interface in the context of command, control and payload management. Equipped with multiple capabilities including surveillance and 3-D mapping, UMS SKELDAR’s drones provide an edge in any environment – day or night.

Low Life-Cycle Costs

Developed with a low life cycle cost, the modular design enables system customisation and functional development, with air maintenance carried out at unit level. Compartments can be easily accessed for service, maintenance and payload reconfiguration.

From hard to reach terrain, to ship borne operations, SKELDAR V-200 provides optimum efficiency and safety across military and civilian missions, including endurance hover functionality. Requiring no runway, this UAV provides extremely fast take-off and landing, and its agile and readily deployable flight performance compares to other compact fixed wing UAV systems.

Typical EO/IR

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) gimbals provide advanced wide-area situational awareness and intelligence gathering through collection, identification, categorisation and geo-location of static and moving objects of interest. Flexible and highly versatile, the SKELDAR V-200 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) is truly multi-role, and ideal for a wide range of applications such as Reconnaissance, Identification, Target Acquisition and Electronic Warfare.

This UAV gathers signals and communication intelligence. A number of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) High resolution Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electronic Warfare (EW) sensors are available. Airborne communications intelligence significantly improves the efficiency of monitoring and intelligence missions.

High-res imagery

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) uses the flight path of the platform to simulate an extremely large antenna or aperture electronically and generates high-resolution remote sensing imagery. SAR is used to create images of an object, such as a landscape. These images can be 2D or 3D representations of the object. High-resolution SAR provides true, all-weather ground mapping and surveillance imaging, as well as Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI).

Mapping out the landscape

Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) measures distance by illuminating a target with laser and analysing reflected light. LIDAR for 3D geographic survey systems provides geologists and mapping professionals with the ability to examine both natural and man-made environments with more accuracy, precision and flexibility, and to produce highly accurate maps and digital elevation models for use in geographic information systems.

Case Study

As a purpose built platform – originally designed for the maritime domain – SKELDAR V-200 is ideal for a range of maritime and naval operations from ISR and SAR roles to command and control and tactical roles for anti-piracy missions. Proven on anti-piracy missions worldwide, including the Indian Ocean/Horn of Africa through to South East Asia and elsewhere, UMS SKELDAR’s UAVs provide long duration and in the air intel. It is in difficult and dangerous situations such as these where speed and covert operations can spell the difference between success and failure.

As an example, SKELDAR V-200 was deployed on naval assets during counter piracy patrols in the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Patrols help provide a safe and secure environment for merchant vessels. The UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) was operated and maintained by UMS SKELDAR personnel, from a Maritime Patrol Ship. SKELDAR V-200 gathered intelligence and imagery, analysed by the Navy team.

The goal is to provide real-time intelligence gathering on the bases and camps of Somali pirates, as well as being used in various offshore operations.

The V-200 provided intel and endurance in high temperature, corrosive conditions of the Indian Ocean and coastal strip of the Horn of Africa. This mission exemplifies the versatility of the SKELDAR system, as a pivotal element of a seamless C4ISR solution.

Indonesia jumps in on Skeldar

Indonesia has become the first customer of UMS Skeldar to receive and complete acceptance tests. Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence deployed Skeldar V-200 as part of performance and acceptance tests during Q4 2016, paving the way for procurement and pilot training. The move marked the beginning of a training programme contract with the Indonesian MoD. It is unclear, however, how many of the rotary-wing UAVs have been delivered to Indonesia.

“With the world’s second-longest coastlines, the tests and patrol evaluations [in Indonesia] confirmed the multi-payload and low footprint of the Skeldar V-200 across land and navy applications,” said UMS Skeldar.

One Chance to Get It Right

Coastal territories provide a range of challenging and often inaccessible environments. UAVs empower military and civilian agencies to deploy anti-terrorist and anti-smuggling operations through to protection of borders and vital infrastructure.

UMS SKELDAR’s drones are proven on anti-piracy missions worldwide, where speed and covert operations demand reliability in difficult and dangerous situations.

From port security to anti-smuggling and drug enforcement operations, UMS SKELDAR’s drones are an essential part of maritime police action. Applications range from container port goods management to surveillance of ship-to-shore transactions. Effective intelligence sharing and fast decision-making processes ensure fully optimised support and successful missions.

Pollution control and prevention are key strategies for the protection of humans and wildlife. UMS SKELDAR provides a range of command and control/surveillance options through its multi-role VTOL and Fixed Wing platforms to help prevent or mitigate natural or man-made disasters, including oil and chemical spillages.

UMS SKELDAR is headquartered near Basel in Switzerland, with twin manufacturing facilities in Switzerland (Möhlin) and Sweden (Linköping).

Alongside design and production, UMS SKELDAR develops its own associated systems which serve to fly various types of UAVs simultaneously on the same Ground Control Station (GCS). The company can provide customers with qualified ISR instructors for training of vehicles or to interpret sensor information alongside the RPAS capability requirement.

Reference Text/Photo:

www.saab.com

www.umsskeldar.aero

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