Schiebel Secures Contract for S-300 VTOL UAS with South Korean Navy

Schiebel, along with Korean defense firms Hanwha Systems and UI Helicopter, has secured a contract from the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) to deliver the Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) CAMCOPTER S-300 Unmanned Air System (UAS) for the South Korean Ministry of Defense (MOD).

The contract, signed with Hanwha Systems, is for the supply of the S-300 for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions for the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps.

Having been a Schiebel customer for over a decade, the South Korean Navy has regularly utilized the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS for maritime ISR operations. The decision to expand their UAS fleet comes in response to the changing geopolitical situation and the perceived threat from North Korea, necessitating larger and more capable UAS.

The S-300, described as a "heavy-lift-capable" UAS, boasts an endurance of up to 24 hours and operates at altitudes of up to 21,000 feet, providing persistent loiter capability for ISTAR operations. With a payload capacity of up to 250 kg, it is promoted as an ideal solution for cargo delivery over long distances in challenging and high-altitude terrains. The flexibility of the S-300 also allows for the release of payloads such as sonar-buoys for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations.

Schiebel S-300 can be controlled by the same Ground Control Station used for the CAMCOPTER S-100.