Schiebel joins European SEACURE project to enhance anti-submarine and seabed warfare capabilities

SEACURE, short for “Seabed and anti-submarine warfare capability through unmanned feature for Europe,” brings together 35 companies from 13 European countries. The initiative will employ air, surface, and underwater systems to detect, classify, identify, and track underwater threats in challenging conditions, aiming to strengthen joint maritime defence capabilities.

Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER S-300, an advanced Unmanned Air System (UAS), will play a pivotal role in the project. Weighing up to 700 kg, the S-300 offers over 24 hours of endurance with its standard payload, or six hours with a heavier 250 kg payload, making it the first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system in its class to achieve such capabilities.

The SEACURE project aligns closely with Schiebel’s development goals for the S-300, which builds on the company’s earlier successes with the S-100 drone in NATO exercises. “The S-300 opens up a multitude of new possibilities for anti-submarine and seabed warfare,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. “We are proud to contribute to this significant project.”

Scheduled to culminate in a large-scale sea trial by 2028, the SEACURE project represents a critical step forward for Europe’s maritime defence strategy. With Schiebel and Thales at the helm, the initiative underscores Europe’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in safeguarding its maritime assets.