Camcopter with MX-10 Photo: Wescam L-3
Schiebel Aircraft GmbH and Wescam L-3 Communications have announced the first flight of a CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS with the Wescam MX-10 EO/IR payload installed. After brief installation and integration activities of a joint L-3 Wescam Schiebel team, the MX-10 flew successfully at a test range near the Schiebel production facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
The trial focused on the advanced EO/IR capabilities of the MX-10 and enabled detailed observation of the surrounding area. The MX-10 was controlled via the datalink with real-time live imagery transmitted successfully back to the ground control station.
“UAS are taking on more demanding roles as their maturity increases, said Paul Jennison, Vice President Business Development, L-3 Wescam and adding sensors like MX-10 with outstanding stabilization and HD capability will further increase their utility. We are really pleased to have achieved this milestone with Schiebel, as the CAMCOPTER® S-100 is clearly a leader in this class of tactical UAS.”
“The MX-10 is a radically different EO/IR sensor with the benefits of an all-in-one design and integrated vibration mounts allowing for even more compact integration, and consequently provides excellent results.” said Neil Hunter, Sales Director, Schiebel. “The CAMCOPTER® S-100 is generating a great deal of interest around the world and we see the addition of the MX-10 as another high-performing payload for our customers to choose from.”
About the CAMCOPTER® S-100:
Schiebel s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) is a proven capability for military and civilian applications. The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS needs no prepared area, supporting launch or recovery equipment. It operates day and night, under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability out to 200 km, both on land and at sea. The S-100 navigates via pre-programmed GPS waypoints or is operated with a Pilot Control Unit. Missions are planned and controlled via simple point and-click graphical user interface and high definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real-time. Using “fly-by-wire” technology controlled by a triple-redundant flight computer, the AVcan complete its mission automatically. Its carbon fibre and titanium fuselage provides capacity for a wide range of payload/endurance combinations up to a service ceiling of 18,000 ft and, in the standard configuration, carries a 75 lbs/34kg payload for over 6 hours.