Europe's leading provider of Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms, UMS SKELDAR, is celebrating another significant milestone for its flagship SKELDAR V-200 UAV after it was selected to be part of a new European Commission (EC) programme.

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SKELDAR V-200 (Picture source: Skeldar)

In December 2020, the EC awarded a contract to the European Detect and Avoid System (EUDAAS) consortium – of which Saab is leading partner – to develop and validate a European Detect and Avoid (DAA) solution for safe insertion of large military Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in European air traffic.

The DAA system will provide the remote pilot with the ability to "see and avoid", including a fully automatic collision avoidance function which will initiate manoeuvres to avoid collision with other aircraft if necessary. The system will be tested on several unmanned platforms, with UMS SKELDAR providing the V-200 for tests in Sweden.

Carl Foucard, Head of Sales at UMS SKELDAR, explains: "We are delighted that the SKELDAR V-200 has been selected as a test platform in this important programme. The technology being developed will enable enhanced autonomy and safety in unmanned aviation, with the goal to enable the SKELDAR V-200 to become fully operational in civilian airspace."

While the focus of the project is on military unmanned aircraft, the technology is applicable to civil systems and will be fully compliant with civil requirements. The programme will run for three years and work closely with civil developments in the field such as regulatory development with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and will contribute to standardisation within EUROCAE.

Foucard adds: "With a double payload capability and incorporating Hirth Engines' pioneering heavy fuel engine, the SKELDAR V-200 is unmatched in its class. This new achievement recognises the V-200's impressive track-record in the field and we are excited by the prospect of our platform being one of the first to include the DAA system's functionality."