Schiebel has successfully completed the first CAMCOPTER S-300 flight test campaign in France, marking an important milestone in the programme’s progression. The flights were conducted at the CESA Drones test site in Sainte-Hélène near Bordeaux, where the S-300 further expanded the operational envelope, reaching a total of 100 flight hours.

The flight activities in France build on previous experience gained with the CAMCOPTER S-300 and represent a further step in expanding the aircraft’s operational flight envelope. Conducted in a military environment, the flights focused on verifying key flight characteristics and overall system performance.

“France has been a trusted partner for Schiebel for many years, making it a natural location for the next phase of CAMCOPTER S-300 flight activities,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. “Our long-standing relationship with the French Navy and our local presence through Schiebel Aéronaval SAS reflect our deep roots in France, while the S-300 is being developed to meet the requirements of international military and government users worldwide, building on Schiebel’s global experience in unmanned aviation.”

During the flights, the CAMCOPTER S-300 demonstrated stable and controlled behaviour while undergoing typical evaluations for an unmanned air system at this stage, including handling qualities, flight control response and overall aircraft performance.

The CAMCOPTER S-300 builds directly on Schiebel’s extensive experience with the CAMCOPTER S-100, a maritime-proven unmanned helicopter with several hundred thousand flight hours accumulated worldwide. Drawing on this operational heritage, the S-300 is designed to deliver increased payload capacity, extended endurance and enhanced mission flexibility for demanding military and government applications.