Swedish Saab has successfully completed flight trials of its Skeldar, medium-range UAV system. A number a key capabilities of Skeldar...
A number a key capabilities of Skeldar V-200 vertical lift UAS were verified through flight campaigns at different sites in US and Sweden demonstrating the system’s performance for both land and sea based operations.
A number of successful customer demonstration flights have also been conducted, company said in a press release.
High complexity flight envelopes such as fully autonomous flights were conducted in both day and night conditions demonstrating convoy shadowing capability, EO/IR sensor utilization, precision landing as well as long range missions using Tactical Hand-Over between Ground Control Stations using Saab’s flexible stationary and mobile ground control station.
In addition, a heavy fuel engine has now been verified through extensive flight trials and an upgraded next generation version of the original design aviation fuel engine has been delivered and is now cleared for flight test.
The Skeldar V-200's major mission capabilities include surveillance, reconnaissance, target attainment and transfer of target data.
Designed based on the CybAero APID 55 airframe, the Skeldar V-200 features a compact layout with segments for accommodating various payload reconfigurations.
Skeldar UAV is powered by a two-cylinder, in-line, two-stroke, liquid cooled internal combustion engine. The engine is rated at 55hp and runs at a constant 6,000rpm. It is equipped with an electronic fuel injection / ignition system.
The UAV can fly at a maximum altitude of 4,500m. Its maximum speed is 130km/h and endurance is five hours. The maximum take-off weight is 200kg.
The mission radius is more than 100km.
Skeldar V-200 has a length of four metres, width of 1.2m and a height of 1.3m. The rotor diameter is 4.7m. The UAV can carry a maximum payload weight of 40kg.
