Aircraft
Australian Navy Perseveres With S-100 Camcopter Despite Crashes
Two upgraded versions of the VTOL UAV are being acquired. Meanwhile, the service is upgrading its manned MH-60R helicopters.
One of two Schiebel S-100 Camcopters that crashed while on trial with the Royal Australian Navy. (Photo: Australian Ministry of Defence)
One of two Schiebel S-100 Camcopters that crashed while on trial with the Royal Australian Navy. (Photo: Australian Ministry of Defence)

Two S-100 Camcopter VTOL UAVs being provided by their Austrian maker Schiebel to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for trials have crashed. But the service still plans to buy two S-100s plus two ground stations. Separately, the RAN is upgrading its fleet of 24 manned Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, the last of which was delivered just over a year ago.