By June 2010, the French army will have accumulated two weeks' assessment of the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 rotorcraft unmanned air vehicle carrying a Thales Optronics Agile Two electro-optical and infra-red sensor payload.

Thales is assisting Vienna-based Schiebel with the trial's organisation and frequency permits.

The S-100 has a maximum take-off weight of 200kg (440lb) and would carry a payload of 50kg for a range of up to 180km (97nm). In December 2008, the S-100 was tested by the Austrian army and in October of that year it was trialled by the French navy, a few months after the German navy had tested it.

 Schiebel S-100 Camcopter
© Schiebel
The Camcopter has been equipped with an Agile Two sensor payload

Source: Flight International