France has ordered five more Camcopter S-100 helicopter drones from Schiebel, bringing its total fleet to eight systems. Each system consists of two unmanned S-100 platforms, with deliveries expected to commence this year.
Naval Group will oversee the integration of these drones onto the French Navy’s FREMM frigates. Schiebel highlighted that France was among the earliest European naval forces to incorporate the S-100 into operational shipboard deployments.
The S-100 has been in French service since 2012, first deployed on the Gowind-class patrol vessel L’Adroit. In 2019, it was integrated onto the Mistral-class amphibious ship Dixmude, marking a milestone as the first rotary-wing drone integrated into a European naval combat system. Two additional units were acquired in 2020 and deployed on the Mistral and Tonnerre.
Designed for maritime ISR roles, the Camcopter S-100 can carry payloads of up to 50 kilograms. It offers endurance of more than six hours with a standard payload, extendable to 10 hours with an external fuel tank. The drone has a maximum speed of 100 knots and a loiter speed of approximately 55 knots.
With vertical take-off and landing capability and a maximum take-off weight of 200 kilograms, the S-100 can operate from ships without dedicated launch or recovery equipment. The system has also been selected for use on Greece’s FDI frigates.
