The UMS Skeldar V-200 is a medium-range helicopter and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) developed by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. The Skeldar can be used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, light cargo transportation, and electronic warfare.
| Skeldar V-200 | |
|---|---|
| |
| V-200 | |
| Role | UAV helicopter |
| Manufacturer | UMS Skeldar |
Development
editThe Skeldar is a derivative of CybAero’s APID 55 UAV system, and its development started in 2005.[1] In June 2006 the Skeldar V-150 was unveiled at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, France.[2] The Skeldar V-200 is the designation for the developed version of the system.[3]
Design
editThe Skeldar V-200 can take-off and land on an area of 15×15 meters. Take-off and landings can be made autonomously.
Skeldar V-200 is modular in the sense that payloads can be changed depending on the mission characteristics, for example it can be equipped with laser pointers, range finders, electro-optical & infrared (EO/IR) 3D mapping, a light cargo hook and SIGINT (Signals Intelligence).[4]
The Skeldar V-200 can be operated in both in land and naval operations, by 2–4 people. A UAS Control Station can be integrated into a ground-vehicle such as an APC or truck.[5]
For naval operations the control station can be integrated into a ship's normal operator consoles and combat management systems.[6]
In 2009 Saab partnered with Swiss UAV to jointly develop and market three VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) designs: the Skeldar V-200 and Swiss UAV's Neo S-300 and Koax X 240. The three systems can be controlled from a Saab common ground control station.[7]
In the end of 2015 Saab partnered with UMS and created the company UMS Skeldar.[8]
In September 2018, UMS Skeldar V-200B was selected by the German Navy for use on board K130 Braunschweig class corvettes.[9]
The Royal Netherlands Navy and Belgian Navy Component will use the V-200 on their future MCMV's (mine countermeasure vessels), of which the first will be operational in 2024.[10]
Operators
edit
- Royal Canadian Navy known as CU-176 Gargoyle in Canadian Service[13]
- Spanish Navy (on trials)
Specifications (V-200)
editSource: Saab Skeldar V-200 Technical specifications[15][16]
Length: 4.031 m (13.23 ft)
Width: 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Height: 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
Main Rotor Diameter: 4.6 m (15 ft)
Max takeoff weight: 245 kg (540 lb)
Max takeoff altitude: 2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Payload: 40 kg (88 lb)
Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph)
Mission radius: 100 km (62 mi)
Endurance: +6 hours
Power rating: 55 hp (41 kW)
Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
Takeoff preparation time: <15 min
References
edit- ^ "V-150 Skeldar", Flight global.
- ^ "Saab unveils new UAV", Flight global, Jun 20, 2006.
- ^ "Saab Skeldar, Sweden", Unmanned Aerial vehicles & targets, Jane's.
- ^ "Technical specifications", Skeldar V-200, Saab Airborne Solutions Unmanned Aerial Systems
- ^ "Skeldar V-200 land", Airborne Solutions Unmanned Aerial Systems, Saab.
- ^ "Technical specifications", Skeldar UAS Control Station, Saab Airborne Solutions Unmanned Aerial Systems.
- ^ "Swiss pact expands Saab UAV portfolio", Flight global, May 20, 2009.
- ^ "Saab | It´s a human right to feel safe".
- ^ UMS Skeldar details V-200B development, janes.com, September 4, 2018
- ^ City- en Vlissingenklasse mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuigen (België en Nederland), marineschepen.nl, Jun 14, 2022.
- ^ a b "ECA Group selects the UAV SKELDAR V-200 within the Belgium Naval & Robotics mine countermeasures drones system for the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Navies". 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
- ^ a b "ECA Group selects the UAV SKELDAR V-200 within the Belgium Naval & Robotics mine countermeasures drones system for the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Navies". 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020.
- ^ "QinetiQ Wins C$51m Contract with the Canadian Armed Forces' Unmanned Aircraft System Service program". umsskeldar.aero. Retrieved 22 May 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Indonesian defence ministry becomes first Skeldar V-200 customer". Naval Today. 15 February 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ Skeldar V-200 land, Saab Airborne Solutions Unmanned Aerial Systems, archived from the original on 1 March 2012.
- ^ "V-200 Skeldar". UMS Skeldar. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022.
External links
edit
- V-200 web page on company site
- "Skeldar V-150", YouTube (video), Google.
- "Skeldar V-200 land", Airborne Solutions Unmanned Aerial Systems (official product page), Saab.
- Skeldar V-150 Versatile, Multi-role & Mission Ready Unmanned Aircraft System (PDF), archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-04-05
- Skeldar V-200 Multi-Purpose Unmanned VTOL System (PDF), archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-04-05