French technology firm touts capabilities of Schiebel rotary-wing uncrewed platform for multiple naval or land missions.
Thales is eyeing a significant global sales opportunity for an armed and autonomous version of the Schiebel Camcopter S-301 rotary-wing uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) and is targeting multiple nations with the capability.
In fact, the remainder of 2026 is likely to be busy for Thales and its Austrian partner as it gears up for several demonstrations of the S-301 and smaller S-101 – notably for the British Army and UK Royal Navy – alongside the delivery of the first of three S-301s to launch customer South Korea.
The pair have previously combined on the RN’s Peregrine capability demonstration programme, which saw two S-101s acquired and operated from Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster until its decommissioning last year.
But Peregrine lives on and the RN has now contracted Thales to transfer a system including its control and mission-management equipment, to one of its River-class Batch II offshore patrol vessels, says Matt Moore, director of defence sales and business development for ISR.
Although the OPVs are equipped with a flightdeck, they have no embarked aviation assets or hangar space. As such, providing the Peregrine as a “containerised solution” will deliver “huge flexibility”, he says.
Moore spoke to FlightGlobal at the Eurosatory defence show in Paris, where it showcased an S-301 on the outdoor exhibit alongside multiple payload options.
No timeline for the deployment has been given but Moore says the company is “ready to go” as soon as required.
However, the navy is already looking at the next iteration of Peregrine, which will likely see it shift to the larger S-301 platform.
Featuring a payload of up to 300kg, versus 50kg for the S-101 but with broadly the same footprint once the blades are folded, the S-301 could perform multiple tasks such as sonobouy deployment, or act as a sono-relay, while a lightweight dipping sonar is also in the works. Mine countermeasures missions are also possible, says Moore.
And while Thales has integrated its LMM Martlet anti-surface missile onto the Peregrine as a “capability demonstration”, the S-301’s much larger payload could see the platform carry up to 10 of the munitions.
While that is half the quantity carried by a Leonardo Helicopters AW159 Wildcat “ with [the S-301] going up with 10, you could put it in places you wouldn’t put your manned asset”.
Meanwhile, Thales is also developing an S-301-based demonstrator for the British Army as a ‘loyal wingman’ aircraft to accompany its fleet of Boeing AH-64E Apaches.
Working through Project Nyx, Thales was in May one of four companies selected for the current demonstration phase, with a further whittling of the field due in the autumn.
Moore says the project is already being “watched hard” by the RN. “What we are about to do in Nyx is really complementary to what the navy wants,” he says, particularly around an autonomous platform that is “not tied to the ship”.
Thales plans to showcase its capabilities at a September event at Predannack airfield in Cornwall. While the S-101 will definitely fly, the company also has “an ambition” to demonstrate the S-301 and has sought permission from the UK civil aviation regulator to also operate the larger aircraft at the site.
Additionally, it is continuing to increase its Nyx team, with an announcement of more partners next month.
It will feature “people who really understand the value of autonomy and who will add significant value to our offer”, Moore says.
On top of which, Thales will leverage work performed by its CortAix AI and autonomy house, which includes an operation in the UK.
Moore says the S-301 is able to carry multiple payloads, ranging from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, to lightweight electronic warfare equipment such as Thales’ Curco pod, to weapons.
Beyond Martlet that could include 68mm or 70mm guided rockets, or anti-tank missiles such as the Lockheed Martin AGM-179 JAGM.
At Eurosatory, Thales displayed the S-301 fitted with a two-round launcher for its Toutatis loitering munition.
Meanwhile, tests of the S-301 continue ahead of first delivery to its launch customer later in 2026.
“We are on track to deliver the three aircraft to South Korea at the end of the year,” says Neil Hunter, Schiebel director of business development.
Seoul has so far ordered just the three aircraft but “if we prove ourselves there’s a lot more to be gained in South Korea after that”, says Hunter, who sees a potential requirement for as many as 30 units.
In addition, Thales and Schiebel have responded with the S-301 to a French request for information for its ADAPT land tactical deep find programme to replace the Safran Patroller fixed-wing UAV.
The post Thales takes aim at ‘loyal wingman’ market with armed S-301 first appeared on FlightGlobal.