UMS Skeldar and ESG have carried out trials of a number of sensors installed on one of the former’s unmanned rotorcraft as the pair promote their capabilities in the German market.
Two weeks of testing saw the assessment of weather measurement sensors integrated on the Skeldar V-200, which were developed through a research project between the two companies and Germany’s BAAINBw military procurement body.
“Our latest agreement with German partners ESG cements our business model in forming strategic relationships with key stakeholders across the world,” says Jakob Baumann, chief executive of UMS Skeldar. “The Skeldar V-200 has become a truly unmatched and versatile platform as demonstrated within the trials.”
The collaboration also sees the companies explore a range of certification services. Additionally, the partners are considering the potential of providing an enhanced ground control station for the V-200.
UMS Skeldar
The ongoing effort further positions the companies to compete for German military and civil contracts, UMS Skeldar says, notably with the German navy, which has been looking for a rotary wing UAV to operate from its ships for some time.
The rival Schiebel Camcopter is being promoted to Berlin through a teaming agreement with Diehl Defence which was renewed in September.
In 2008, Camcopter was first demonstrated aboard the German navy’s K130-class corvettes Braunschweig and Magdeburg in the Baltic Sea, although no contract was forthcoming.
Recent activities by both teams suggest that a competition for the navy could kick off soon.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
