Spanish Navy continues with shipborne UAV trials despite challenges in Skeldar tests

The Spanish Navy says it is continuing with the testing of shipborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) despite what it described as an unsatisfactory initial trial with the Skeldar V-200 UAV.
During a six-month leasing period, Saab's Skeldar helicopter drone was embarked in Armada Española ships operating with the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) 'Atalanta' Somali counter-piracy operation.
But Armada Chief of Staff told that the UAV had suffered problems and that the Navy was not very satisfied.
Tmain problems had been mechanical issues and also Skeldar's integration with the ships' systems.
janes

Spanish Navy completes Skeldar V-200 UAV integration trials

The Spanish Navy has successfully competed Saab-built Skeldar V-200 Maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) integration trials on board the Buques de Acción Marítima (BAM)-class patrol vessel Relámpago (P-43) off the Canary Islands.
The UAV is due to be deployed in mid-September 2013 aboard the BAM-class patrol vessel Meteoro (P-41), which is currently operational in the Indian Ocean.
Saab has received a contract to provide services for the Skeldar V-200 system aboard a Spanish Navy offshore patrol vessel in operation Atalanta.
Following the completion of second phase of the programme, the Spanish Navy will decide which specific UAV model to procure.
The medium-range vertical take off and landing UAV can be deployed to support instant battle damage assessment and control of indirect fire, in addition to providing logistics support and ship-to-ship or ship-to-land transfers in rough weather conditions.
"The unmanned system can fly at a maximum altitude of 4,500m for five hours."
Powered by a two-cylinder, in-line, two-stroke, liquid cooled internal combustion engine, the unmanned system can fly at a maximum altitude of 4,500m for five hours and can cruise at a maximum speed of 130km/h with a mission radius of more than 100km.
Featuring dual payload capability and various COTS payloads for specific missions, the system is fitted with EO / IR gimbals, a laser pointer, laser range finder, synthetic aperture radar, ground-moving target indicator, electronic warfare, AIS transponder, searchlight, megaphone and cargo hook.
Armed with OtoBreda 76/62mm gun, two Mk38 25mm automatic cannons and two 12.7mm machine guns, the Navantia-developed BAM-class vessels have been designed to support missions including patrols and protection.
The vessels feature a helicopter platform, rescue equipment and medical facilities and can also conduct hydrographic research, intelligence gathering, divers support and submarine rescue operations.
naval-technology
miragec14

La Armada completa las pruebas con el vehículo aéreo no tripulado Skeldar V-200

La Armada ha completado en aguas de Canarias las pruebas de integración del sistema aéreo no tripulado (UAS en sus siglas inglesas) Skeldar V-200 a bordo del buque de acción marítima (BAM) ‘Relámpago’, como paso previo a su empleo en zona de operaciones.
Desde mediados de este mes está previsto que este sistema comience a operar en la misión “Atalanta” de lucha contra la piratería en el océano Índico a bordo del BAM ‘Meteoro’, patrullero de la misma clase que el ‘Relámpago’.
De este modo, se concluye uno de los hitos previstos en la primera fase del programa de contratación de sistemas aéreos no tripulados en la Armada, por el que se ha adjudicado a la empresa sueca SAAB un contrato de prestación de servicios para el despliegue de su sistema SKELDAR V-200 (vehículo de ala rotatoria y combustible pesado) en un BAM durante su participación en la operación “Atalanta”.

Con la experiencia acumulada en el empleo de estos sistemas durante estas pruebas y en zona de operaciones, la Armada prevé iniciar la segunda fase del programa de contratación mediante la adquisición en propiedad de un modelo específico de UAV.
armada

El primer UAV de la Armada que espiará a los piratas de Somalia

El Skeldar V-200, de Saab será el primer UAS que va a adquirir la Armada española,con el objetivo de quese utilice enla Operación Atalanta de lucha contra la piratería en el océano Índico.
Este helicóptero no tripulado complementará los medios existentes en Inteligencia, Vigilancia y Reconocimiento (ISR) que hasta ahora viene desarrollando el avión P-3 Orión o el D.4 Vigma, versión de patrulla marítima del CN-235.
Embarcará en los Buques de Acción Marítima (BAM), en buques anfibios y escoltas.
El objetivo es “espiar” las bases y campamentos de los piratas somalíes a una altura máxima de 3.500 metros, y no efectuará misiones dede ataque pues no posee capacidad de armamento.
Esteban Villarejo, Por Tierra Mar y Aire

Saab gets first order for unmanned Skeldar...for Spanish Navy?

Saab has secured a first customer for its Skeldar vertical take-off and landing unmanned air system, with the type to be employed in a maritime surveillance role.
Announcing its receipt of the contract on 11 July, the Swedish company says the "Skeldar UAS will be operationally deployed with the customer before the end of this year and will be used in naval operations where the benefits of a vertical take-off and landing UAS are most prominent".

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La Armada compra su primer UAV embarcado a Saab

La Armada española ha adquirido su primer sistema aéreo no tripulado embarcado a la empresa sueca Saab . Al parecer se trata del modelo Skeldar V-200.
infodefensa