CAMCOPTER - S100
1. Context
India is in the process of harnessing the capability of a rotary unmanned aerial system as part of a deal with Austrian company Schiebel for their renowed Camcopter S-100 ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the country. Jajati Mohanty, CEO, Schiebel India, sheds light on the strategic implications and future prospects of this landmark capability
2. What is Camcopter S100?
The Camcopter S-100 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone designed and manufactured by the Austrian company Schiebel. It is a rotary-wing UAV, meaning it uses a set of spinning blades (similar to a helicopter) to achieve flight
The Camcopter S-100 is built for various missions and has a versatile design. It can be equipped with different payloads, including cameras, sensors, and communication devices
The S-100 can be operated autonomously using pre-programmed flight plans or manually controlled via a remote operator. It has sophisticated navigation systems, including GPS and inertial navigation systems
3. Features of Camcopter S-100
- VTOL Capability: The S-100 can take off and land vertically, requiring minimal space for operation
- It can fly for up to 6 hours, depending on the payload and mission profile
- Maximum speed is around 120 knots (222 km/h or 138 mph)
- It can operate at altitudes up to 18,000 feet (5,486 meters)
- The S-100 can carry payloads of up to 50 kg (110 lbs)
- Its payload bay can be easily reconfigured for different mission types
- It uses GPS-based navigation and can operate in GPS-denied environments
- The S-100 can execute pre-programmed flight plans autonomously
- It features encrypted data links for secure communication
- The drone is designed to be relatively quiet during operation
- It can use various types of fuel, including heavy fuel for naval operations
