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The Bundeswehr confirmed receipt of three of the systems for the German Navy’s K130 corvettes, enabling greater seaborne ISR capabilities.
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Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) recently confirmed that it has finalised an agreement with ESG Elektroniksystem – und Logistik-GmbG for the delivery of three Sea Falcon UASs, for use onboard the German Navy’s K130 corvettes.
The Bundeswehr’s UAS acquisition program, dubbed Reconnaissance and Identification in the Maritime Operational Area (AImEG), is expected to increase the German Navy’s ISR capabilities with the Sea Falcon identifying objects beyond the corvette's on-board sensor system.
“One UAS consists of two Skeldar V-200 unmanned aerial vehicles, a ground control station integrated on the corvette from which the aircraft is controlled, and equipment with tools and spare parts,” a company spokesperson explained.
The system is derived from the Skeldar V-200, a Swedish made product from UMS Skeldar AB. The airborne system has a five-hour operating window, with a maximum take off weight of 235 kilograms, a maximum speed of 75 knots and payload of 40 kilograms. The system is also capable of taking off and landing on a corvette experiencing 20-knot wind speed.
According to a release from ESG, the AImEG project:
- in the pilot phase, the development and certification with regard to the adaptation requirements of the German Armed Forces; the delivery of one UAS including integration into a corvette; initial training of the German Armed Forces personnel as well as comprehensive logistic services; and
- in the series production phase, the delivery of two further systems, one of which will also be integrated into a corvette and the other used for land-based training. In addition, three armament sets will be delivered for the future pre-fitting of further corvettes to accommodate a UAS.
“This new contract with the German Navy is a significant development for us and is testament to our enduring relationship with ESG and the long-term partnership with the German Armed Forces in delivering flexible and mission-proven unmanned aerial systems (UAS),” explained Axel Cavalli-Bjorkman, CEO of UMS Skeldar.
“Throughout the last few years, we have provided mission-based evidence of our capabilities that have ultimately demonstrated why the Skeldar V-200 is the leading maritime UAS in its weight category. We look forward to working with ESG and the partners to fulfil this next phase of the contract.”
Throughout the AImEG project, ESG has coordinated industry to develop the system with industry partners UMS Skeldar AB, NVL BV & Co KG and CUONICS GmbH.
[Related: Rohde & Schwarz sign supply agreement with Gulf navy for NAVICS comms system]
