The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will stop flying the S-100 Camcopter on 30 June, when Defence’s contract with Schiebel Pacific expires, ending six years of service for the type.
The Navy bought three S-100 Camcopters from Austrian manufacturer Schiebel in 2018, before subsequently expanding its fleet to six aircraft, including several upgraded to handle heavy fuels.
“Navy will cease operating the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter experimental program on 30 June 2024 when the Schiebel Pacific contract expires,” a Defence spokesperson told ADM.
822X Squadron was commissioned to operate the type in 2018 at HMAS Albatross and has flown the uncrewed aerial system (UAS) since then.
The “X” in 822X Squadron’s name, the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Micheal Noonan said at the time, designated it as a developmental squadron.
“This is the first time the Squadron number 822 will be used by a Navy Squadron. The X indicates the developmental nature of the Squadron and the motto of 822X Squadron is ‘See the Enemy’,” VADM Noonan said.
During its service with the RAN, S-100s operated from both land and sea, including short-term deployments aboard Anzac-class frigates and Canberra-class landing helicopter docks to trial the capability.
In May 2022 Defence, selected the S-100 for a sole source contract to fulfill the RAN’s needs under Block One of the $1.3 billion Project Sea 129 Phase 5 Maritime Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (MUAS) program.
The decision to sole source the S-100 was justified by Defence at the time on the basis that it would deliver capability to the Navy 18 months faster than any other option, due to 822X Squadron’s experience operating the type.
Controversially, the decision to sole source the procurement was made just days before the Coalition Government at the time entered the pre-election caretaker mode. However, 16 months after that decision was made, in September 2023, the acquisition was scrapped by the new Labor government. At the time, Defence told ADM that Project Sea 129 Phase 5 was “continuing” and that it was “examining” options.
This no longer the case as the project has been merged with its Army counterpart – Project Land 129 – to form Project DEF 129 because of the rebuilt Integrated Investment Plan (IIP).
“The SEA 129-5 and the Land 129 series of projects have been combined into DEF 129 as part of the 2024 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program,” a Defence spokesperson told ADM without providing further details.
Nevertheless, ADM understands that the Insitu Pacific RQ-21 Integrator - which was a competitor for both Project Land 129 and Project Sea 129 Phase 5 - will become the standard UAS used by both the Army and Navy.