Boeing has demonstrated the S-100 Camcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the US Army, with the aircraft resupplying the soldiers with small cargo packages during a demonstration.
S-100 US Army Missions
“A first for the vertical lift UAV – the S-100 Camcopter recently delivered supplies to US Army troops, the first time an autonomous air vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing resupplied Army troops,” the company posted on 6 April. The S-100 flew 31 missions delivering 1,600lb (726kg) of food, water, simulated blood and ammunition during a recent Army exercise, the company said.
Boeing S-100 Camcopter variant
The Boeing S-100 Camcopter variant, produced in partnership with Schiebel Industries, is a highly expeditionary Group 3 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV capable of carrying 75lb (34kg) of payload for more than six hours. It can take a maximum payload of 110lb (50kg).
The S-100 navigates automatically via pre-programmed GPS 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.
Boeing conducts S-100 modifications at its facility in Mesa, Arizona, and offers the unmanned air vehicle and related mission systems and services to US and UK customers under partnership with Schiebel.
by David Oliver
