Details of Ukraine UAV requirement revealed
A contract for leased unmanned air vehicle (UAV) services in support of the security mission in Ukraine is expected to be awarded imminently, an industry source reveals.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) recently issued a solicitation for bids which closed on Friday, 25 July. It stipulates the requirement for a turnkey UAV solution for deployment in the conflicted east of the country.
No further details were provided, although it has now been revealed that OSCE is seeking a vertical take-off and landing platform, preferably for round-the-clock monitoring operations, to be operational within weeks.
Vienna-based Schiebel confirms it has responded to the tender with its Camcopter S-100. However, it is unclear whether any other systems have been offered. Saab’s Skeldar UAV would fulfil the requirement, although the company declines to comment on any bid.
“[The solicitation] came out of nowhere. Our understanding is that they want something pretty much now – they don’t want something in a month’s time,” says Chris Day, head of capability engineering at Schiebel.
“Everything appeared very quickly – hopefully we’ll hear something later this week or early next. It wouldn’t make sense to take two weeks reviewing it when they are saying they want something out there in a few weeks’ time,” he adds.
More:-
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/details-of-ukraine-uav-requirement-revealed-402140/
(We think the S100 is a little bit bigger than required, look out for a ScanEagle, Puma or even Raven arriving on scene. Clever way for Schiebel to get into Flight though (ed))
