UMS Skeldar V-200

UMS Skeldar V-200

Type: Surveillance UAV

Domain: air

Country of Origin: Sweden

Manufacturer: Saab AB

First Deployed: 2018

Overview

Advanced rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle designed for maritime and land-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and fire support missions. The Skeldar V-200 features a helicopter configuration with contra-rotating rotors eliminating the need for a tail rotor, maximum takeoff weight of 235 kg, endurance exceeding 5 hours, operational ceiling of 20,000 feet, and automatic takeoff/landing capability enabling operations from small ships in high sea states. Payload capacity of 40 kg supporting electro-optical/infrared gimbal cameras, maritime search radar, laser designator, electronic warfare sensors, and communications relay equipment. The heavy-fuel engine (JP-5/JP-8/diesel) provides operational flexibility and safety on naval vessels. Autonomous flight modes including waypoint navigation, automatic target tracking, and perch-and-stare surveillance. The Skeldar provides persistent ISR capability from small surface combatants (corvettes, patrol vessels) without requiring large flight decks or hangars. Successfully demonstrated launching laser-guided munitions, providing precision strike capability. Operated by Swedish Armed Forces with exports to undisclosed customers. Represents the future of small-ship aviation where unmanned systems replace manned helicopters for routine ISR missions.

Technical Specifications

typeVertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical UAV
payloadEO/IR, maritime surveillance radar
endurance~5 hours
max_speed~150 km/h
capabilityFully autonomous takeoff, flight, and landing
manufacturerUMS Skeldar (Saab subsidiary), Sweden

Operators

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