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UK Navy Peregrine Helicopter Drone Conducts First Operation in Middle East

Pictured: Peregrine Rotary Wing UAV, Schiebel S-100 Camcopter operating during REPMUS 22 REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation & Prototyping augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems) is a Portuguese Maritime Operational Experimentation Exercise, which takes place annually. It was established as simply REP in 2004 and grown year on year. In 2014 NATO CMRE were invited to take part for the first time and then an invitation was issued in early 2019 for NATO’s Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative (MUSI) to take part, which they did later that year and again in 2021 and this year. (2020 did not occur because of the global pandemic) providing a significant boost to the scope and scale of REPMUS. REPMUS is a testing ground designed to allow a large-scale experimentation where NATO navies can collaborate with each other and with Academia and Industry to develop and test unmanned system capabilities, to build interoperability & interchangeability and to develop operational concepts, tactics, techniques and procedures.Pictured: Peregrine Rotary Wing UAV, Schiebel S-100 Camcopter operating during REPMUS 22 REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation & Prototyping augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems) is a Portuguese Maritime Operational Experimentation Exercise, which takes place annually. It was established as simply REP in 2004 and grown year on year. In 2014 NATO CMRE were invited to take part for the first time and then an invitation was issued in early 2019 for NATO’s Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative (MUSI) to take part, which they did later that year and again in 2021 and this year. (2020 did not occur because of the global pandemic) providing a significant boost to the scope and scale of REPMUS. REPMUS is a testing ground designed to allow a large-scale experimentation where NATO navies can collaborate with each other and with Academia and Industry to develop and test unmanned system capabilities, to build interoperability & interchangeability and to develop operational concepts, tactics, techniques and procedures.

The Peregrine rotary wing unmanned aerial system based on the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter. Photo: Phot Eddy Damulira/UK Royal Navy

The Royal Navy has used its S-100 Peregrine rotary-wing unmanned aerial system for the first time in the Middle East.

It was deployed from aboard the HMS Lancaster (F229) Duke-class frigate, which is stationed in the region for a long-term maritime security mission.

Throughout its sorties, the aircraft scouted day and night through areas between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman, where the vessel’s current tasks are being facilitated. This intersection, dubbed the “Hash Highway,” is a known route used by international smugglers and drug runners.

The Peregrine collected data on the areas of responsibility, including live radar pictures and optic imagery, which were transmitted in real-time to display monitors in the warship’s operations room.

“Being part of the team that used Peregrine in our counter-narcotics operations was a fascinating experience,” Abovewater Warfare Weapons Officer Bradley Morris stated.

“The clarity of the images we obtained from miles away was impressive and highlighted the advanced capabilities we have at our disposal. It’s exciting to see how technology is enhancing our operations at sea.”

Force Multiplier

According to the navy, the Peregrine proved its capabilities for “long and demanding surveillance missions” in its Middle East flights.

The drone also supported the maritime security mission team to maintain the readiness of crewed AW159 Wildcat helicopters on the Lancaster for specific interdiction and strike missions.

“Combining the maritime expertise of the Wildcat Flight with the development and integration of uncrewed air systems has been a crucial catalyst in providing the Command team with additional assets that complement the existing capabilities – a combination that is producing promising results for the future,” HMS Lancaster’s Wildcat and Peregrine Officer-in-Charge Lt. Cdr. Rob Guest explained.

The S-100 Peregrine Aerial Vehicle

The UK Ministry of Defence ordered the Peregrine in February 2023 to employ a modern aerial drone with “eye in the sky” capabilities supporting Royal Navy surface combat fleets.

It is based on the S-100 Camcopter developed by Austrian company Schiebel for commercial use.

For military configuration, the drone is installed with radar and infrared/electro-optical camera payloads that enable domain awareness in any scenario. Optional armaments include hardpoints and lightweight multirole missiles.

S-100 Camcopter unmanned aerial system. Photo: Schiebel

The aircraft measures 3.1 meters (10 feet) long, weighs 110 kilograms (243 pounds), and has a rotor diameter of 3.4 meters (11 feet).

It is fitted by either an Austro AE50R Wankel engine or a Schiebel heavy fuel engine with approximately 55 horsepower and has a maximum fuel capacity of 57 liters.

The S-100 has a top speed of 120 knots (222 kilometers/138 miles per hour), a range of 180 kilometers (112 miles), a service ceiling of 5,500 meters (18,045 feet), and an endurance of six hours.

Tags autonomous systemsdronesMiddle EastRoyal NavyUnited Kingdomunmanned combat aerial vehicle
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