Boeing S-100 Camcopter Delivered Supplies to U.S. Army Troops

Boeing Defense released a very short video on S-100 Camcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the US Army, with the aircraft resupplying the soldiers with the aircraft resupplying the soldiers with small cargo packages. The demonstration was related to the US Army’s broad Future Vertical Lift modernisation programme. A Boeing team flew the S-100 on 31 missions, delivering 726kg (1,600lb) of “simulated blood and ammunition” via a cargo winch during the military exercise. For the missions demonstrated, the cargo weight was typically about 45kg. The unmanned helicopter flew the missions autonomously, says the company.

The Boeing S-100 CAMCOPTER variant, produced in partnership with Schiebel Industries, is a highly expeditionary Group 3 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of carrying 34kg of payload for more than 6 hours. It can take a maximum payload of 50kg. The S-100 navigates automatically via pre-programmed G PS waypoints or can be operated directly with a pilot control unit. Missions are planned and controlled via a simple point-and-click graphical user interface. High-definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real time.

Using “fly-by-wire” technology controlled by redundant flight computers, the UAV can complete its mission automatically in the most complex of electromagnetic environments. Its carbon fibre and titanium fuselage provides capacity for a wide range of payload / endurance combinations. The Boeing S-100 CAMCOPTER UAS can be launched launch in 15 minutes even in the most rugged environments. The UAV has also been sold by Schiebel as a military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform for maritime and land roles. The unmanned aircraft has been ordered by a variety of military services, including those of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, China, Italy and Australia.”