Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer UMS SKELDAR has unveiled an improved unmanned helicopter at the Farnborough Airshow.
With a focus on maritime and naval applications, the new SKELDAR V-200B is a modification of the company’s mid-sized heavy fuel engine VTOL.
The SKELDAR V-200B completed its trials earlier in 2018, following an intensive modification audit, based on in-theatre performance feedback and the strategic imperative to further widen competitive advantage.
“It is no secret that more players are attempting to enter the maritime market for rotary UAVs,” said David Willems, head of business development at UMS SKELDAR, the UAV joint venture between Sweden’s Saab and UMS AERO of Switzerland.
“Recent navy contracts have stipulated the role and specification, and this has confirmed our strategy of development is absolutely the right move at the right time. We are able to fly longer, over five hours, at maximum payload capacity through weight savings from design modifications and our 2-stroke engine configuration provides significantly unmatched time between overhauls (TBO), all of which are vital to maritime operations by military and civilian customers.”
“The major difference between the SKELDAR V-200 engine and those of our competitors is that our engine is more tolerant of the JP-5 quality and that is a big advantage. Our maintenance schedules and ease of access to engine compartments mean that we outperform and stay longer in the air before any need for overhaul. These are non-negotiable advantages for operational commanders,” explains Willems.