UMS Skeldar V-200
A Swedish medium-range VTOL UAV for surveillance and electronic warfare.
The UMS Skeldar V-200 is a medium-range helicopter drone built by the Swedish company Saab. It handles surveillance, intelligence gathering, light cargo transport, and electronic warfare.
Development began in 2005, based on CybAero’s APID 55 UAV. A predecessor, the Skeldar V-150, was shown at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris in June 2006. The V-200 is the upgraded version.
The aircraft can take off and land autonomously within a 15-by-15-meter area. Its modular design allows payloads to be swapped for different missions, including laser pointers, range finders, electro-optical and infrared sensors for 3D mapping, a light cargo hook, and signals intelligence equipment.
It operates on land or at sea with a crew of two to four people. The control station can be installed in a ground vehicle like an APC or truck. For naval use, it integrates into a ship’s existing operator consoles and combat management systems.
In 2009, Saab partnered with Swiss UAV to develop and market three vertical takeoff and landing designs: the Skeldar V-200, the Neo S-300, and the Koax X 240. All three can be run from a common Saab ground control station.
By late 2015, Saab teamed up with UMS to form UMS Skeldar. In September 2018, the German Navy chose the V-200B for its K130 Braunschweig-class corvettes, but after several delays the project was canceled in July 2024. The Royal Netherlands Navy and Belgian Navy will use the V-200 on their future mine countermeasure vessels, with the first expected operational in 2024.
Operators include the Belgian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy (as the CU-176 Gargoyle), German Navy’s Marineflieger, the Ministry of Defence, Royal Netherlands Navy, and the Spanish Navy (on trials).
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- UAV helicopter
- Manufacturer
- UMS Skeldar
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Skeldar is a derivative of CybAero’s APID 55 UAV system, with development starting in 2005. The Skeldar V-150 was unveiled at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris in June 2006, and the V-200 is the designation for the developed version. The V-200 can take off and land autonomously on an area of 15×15 meters. Its modular design allows payloads to be changed depending on mission characteristics, including laser pointers, range finders, electro-optical & infrared (EO/IR) 3D mapping, a light cargo hook, and SIGINT. The system can be operated by 2–4 people in both land and naval operations, with the control station integrable into ground vehicles such as an APC or truck, or into a ship's operator consoles and combat management systems. In 2009 Saab partnered with Swiss UAV to jointly develop and market three VTOL designs: the Skeldar V-200, Neo S-300, and Koax X 240, all controllable from a Saab common ground control station. At the end of 2015 Saab partnered with UMS to create UMS Skeldar.
Reader's Guide
The Skeldar V-200 represents a notable European VTOL UAV platform, selected by multiple navies for maritime roles. In September 2018, the V-200B was chosen by the German Navy for use on board K130 Braunschweig class corvettes, though the project was cancelled in July 2024 after multiple delays. The Royal Netherlands Navy and Belgian Navy will use the V-200 on their future mine countermeasure vessels, with the first operational in 2024. The Royal Canadian Navy operates it as the CU-176 Gargoyle. The Spanish Navy has conducted trials. Its significance lies in its modular payload flexibility, autonomous takeoff and landing capability, and integration into both land and naval command systems, making it a versatile asset for surveillance, intelligence, and light cargo missions. The partnership with Swiss UAV and later UMS reflects collaborative European development in the VTOL UAV sector.
Did You Know?
- It is operated by 2–4 people and can be controlled from a ground vehicle or ship console.
- The Royal Canadian Navy designates it the CU-176 Gargoyle.
- The German Navy cancelled its V-200B project in July 2024 after multiple delays.
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