Saab's Skeldar V-200 Completes Flight Test Milestones
Defense firm Saab has conducted multiple flight test events for its Skeldar V-200 vertical lift UAS. Tests in the US and Sweden confirmed the system's performance for both land and maritime operations.
Swedish defense and security company Saab has concluded significant flight tests for its Skeldar V-200 vertical lift unmanned aerial system (UAS). Flight campaigns conducted at various sites in the US and Sweden have verified the system's performance for operations from both land and sea.
The Skeldar V-200 performed complex flight envelopes, including fully autonomous missions in both day and night conditions. These flights demonstrated capabilities such as convoy shadowing, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor utilization, precision landings, and long-range missions. Saab's flexible stationary and mobile ground control stations were utilized, enabling tactical hand-over between control stations.
Additionally, a heavy fuel engine has been verified through extensive flight trials. An upgraded, next-generation version of the original aviation fuel engine has also been delivered and cleared for flight testing.
"The Skeldar V-200 has passed yet another important milestone in the program with these key capabilities verified and demonstrated to various customers," said Mikael Franzén, Director of Saab's Product Area Tactical UAS. The system's built-in safety functionality confirmed contingency behaviors in case of link loss, including autonomous navigation according to predefined parameters.