8th November 2022
We’re pleased to announce that UMS SKELDAR has entered a cooperation agreement with Ultra Maritime, as selected and awarded through the Department of National Defence’s (DND) Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, which will explore the development of an ASW sonobuoy dispensing capability, based on the SKELDAR V-200 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
This innovative program will review how a medium-sized UAS can be used to deploy sonobuoys for the purpose of tracking potentially hostile submarines operating in the open ocean or close to coastal areas that could pose a threat to CAF navy fleets or other forces.
Andrew Anderson
Andrew Anderson, Chief Technology, Ultra Sonar Systems, explains: “We are constantly reviewing new technologies and how they can tackle dynamic submerged threats like hostile submarines. For this program, we aim to test how Rotary UAS can deploy sonobuoys rapidly and cost-effectively in comparison to current methods. The aim is to prove the benefits of Sonobouys when deployed from the compact rotary V-200 unmanned system.”
The SKELDAR V-200 is the platform of choice for multiple NATO naval forces thanks to its intelligence-gathering capabilities when equipped with multiple sensors.
Flight times can exceed six hours, and the heavy-fuel engine combined with efficient maintenance procedures and ease of access to the engine compartment allow for highly efficient routine service processes.
Richard Hjelmberg
“We are delighted to be a part of this agreement with Ultra. Using Rotary Unmanned Aircraft Systems to help conduct ASW will provide many benefits, not least enabling rapid deployment capabilities, a smaller logistical footprint on CAF ships and a cost-effective alternative to current methods. At UMS we are proud of our innovation leadership when it comes to advances in rotary-wing UAS platforms. Our SKELDAR V-200 platform is a prime example of this, with a capability of completing remote automatic flights, exceeding six-hour flight times thanks to the robust heavy fuel engine and the ability to provide a high degree of maintainability and minimum turn-around times. These credentials we believe are the perfect fit for this program.”
More about V-200 Skeldar
https://umsskeldar.aero/v-200-skeldar/
This release has been issued on behalf of UMS SKELDAR by Kredo Consulting Ltd.
For further information please contact:
Andy Parker
andy@kredoconsulting.com
+44 1242 650573
Isabel Pedreira
isabel@kredoconsulting.com