The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract with ESG for the delivery of three V-200 (referred to as the Sea Falcon in German service) umanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The systems, the main elements of which consist of two SKELDAR V-200 aircraft and a ground control station, will be fully integrated with the K-130 class corvettes or Braunschweig-class corvettes. It can take off and land automatically on the deck of the corvette in up to 20 knots of wind speed and “sea state 3”. An integrated sensor transmits real time optical and infrared images to the ground control station.
The UAVs are to enable the corvettes to reconnoitre and identify sea targets beyond the range of the onboard optical sensors. Due to its low optical and acoustic signature – particularly in night flight – the Navy expects to gain a significant capability enhancement in combating piracy and arms smuggling by sea. Compared to manned helicopters, the system has lower maintenance costs and a smaller footprint, the procurement authority writes. The contract also includes the provision of spare parts packages, the initial training of technical and flight personnel, as well as the establishment of a training site for the system on land within the next four years.
The Sea Falcon can take off and land automatically on the deck of the corvette in up to 20 knots of wind speed and “Sea State 3”. An integrated sensor transmits real-time optical and infrared images to the ground control station. A special feature within the scope of the adaptation developments is the extension of the so-called “safety-critical chain” with further functionalities, which will be concluded with military approval. The safety-critical chain ensures that the aircraft cannot leave an intended area of operation. The AImEG project, which has now been contracted, comprises over a period of 4 years.
In the AImEG project, ESG assumes overall responsibility on the industry side as a general contractor and in-service support company. The overall service is provided in cooperation with ESG´s highly committed industrial partners of ESG: UMS Skeldar AB as manufacturer and supplier of the aircraft, NVL B.V. & Co. KG (formerly Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG) as the manufacturer of the corvette and UAS integrator, and CUONICS GmbH as the aviation electronics parts developer and manufacturer. ESG is a certified aviation company for aircraft and aviation equipment for the Bundeswehr and an aviation engineering company in line with EASA Parts 21J/G and EASA Part 145.
