UMS Skeldar, a provider of rotary UAV solutions and avionics software, is accelerating its plans for Australia to become its Pacific Rim base.
The announcement follows a classified tour including meetings in Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney with both Defence and Australian industry.
The confirmation of UMS Skeldar’s commitment, described as a “logical extension of the company’s intention to secure a demo base in Australia,” was announced during the Farnborough Airshow. It coincides with Exercise RIMPAC 2018, in which 25,000 naval personnel and 52 ships and submarines from 26 countries are currently participating.
Australia has been designated as the launchpad for the comnpany's next generation V-200. The UAV is capable of over five hours of constant flight with enhancements to the heavy fuel two-stroke engine and airframe weight reduction.
UMS is partnered with Australian companies including Adelaide's Orbital Corporation, and Melbourne-based Sentient Vision Systems.
The company is pitching its new Skeldar V-200 for a tactical maritime roles with the RAN. UMS would like to see 24 UAVs deployed on board the 12 new Sea 1180 OPVs, to be built by Luerssen in SA and WA.
“As part of the requirements of the RAN maritime tactical unmanned aircraft system tender, the Skeldar V-200 is unmatched in its ability to provide the OPVs with an embedded, eye in the sky ISR capability to enhance their ability to perform primary and secondary missions,” David Willems, head of business development at UMS Skeldar, said.
“The Pacific Rim is unquestionably a top priority for our business," UMS Skeldar CEO Axel Cavalli-Björkman said. "Now we are able to increase our advantage in terms of endurance and improved engine management system with an increased range of sensors including ViDAR (visual detection and ranging)."