UMS SKELDAR announces South East Asia as priority market in launch of global multi-platform UAV strategy

Saab and UMS AERO Group combine technologies as UMS SKELDAR to showcase Europe’s only provider of both Rotary and Fixed Wing platforms

UMS SKELDAR, the newly formed joint business between Saab and UMS AERO Group launches its combined unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) at Singapore Airshow, as the springboard for its ambition to become the number one choice in the global mid-range UAV market.

Backed by a highly active research and development programme, UMS SKELDAR brings together four platforms including the SKELDAR V-200 to create Europe’s most versatile UAVs for the global military, defence and civil security sectors. The company will showcase the new line-up at the Singapore Airshow 16-21 February. UMS SKELDAR will display its platforms and solutions alongside CWT at stand number D87.

In conjunction with its regional partner CWT, South East Asia’s largest logistics business, and on the back of contracts agreed with governments in Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the company has declared Asia-Pacific and Mideast as priority regions for growth. “The strategic importance of the region to us made Singapore a natural choice for the world launch platform of our unrivalled line-up of platforms, systems and managed services. South East Asia will be pivotal and our relationship with CWT as our exclusive strategic partner plays a crucial role in the development of our market share,” according to Jacob Baumann, former two-star general in the Swiss military and CEO of UMS SKELDAR.

The highly targeted business development strategy is spearheaded by David Willems, aviation business specialist and Head of Marketing and Sales, together with former senior RAF officer and regional business development head George Duncan, responsible for Asia Pacific and Mideast markets. “The formation of UMS SKELDAR through Saab and UMS AERO has truly propelled the business into a global and expanding market. With a strong customer base and pipeline of strong prospective contracts, we’re looking forward to the Singapore Airshow to be able display our total solutions packages,” explains David Willems.

UMS SKELDAR brings together the four platforms to create Europe’s only provider of high endurance vertical take-off (VTOL) and fixed wing UAVs, across the 3-12+ hour endurance range:

Fixed wing:
• UMS F330 – designed as a high-performance ITAR-free unmanned aircraft

• UMS F720 – a highly versatile and widely capable Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). Its innovative, flexible and modular design enables the F-720 to carry multiple payloads at the same time, making it one of the most capable systems in its class.

Rotary/VTOL (vertical take-off and landing):

· UMS R350 – sets the standard in VTOL RPAS. This ITAR-free Tactical Helicopter is unique in its class as it contains a jet-turbine engine propulsion system.

· SKELDAR V-200 – an innovative UAV using the technology of Saab, ideal for civil security and military operations. The V-200 is the first rotary winged medium-range UAV that can be operated from a tailored control station. Equipped with multiple capabilities including surveillance and 3D mapping, the aircraft gives edge in any environment – day or night. The system can hover for hours while providing real-time information to a control station or to a remote video terminal. Launched from historically difficult locations such as the deck of a ship, a travelling convoy or other small stationery areas, SKELDAR V-200 is designed to provide real-time intelligence and surveillance as a force multiplier for land, civil security and maritime applications. The compact solution is fully autonomous, controlled by high-level-commands such as “Point and Fly” and “Point and Look”.

As a multi-skilled enterprise with all the capabilities necessary to manage and deliver total UAV programmes, UMS SKELDAR is equipped to provide solutions including research, development, design, manufacture, testing, training, maintenance and finance to a wide variety of sectors globally. Alongside design and production, UMS SKELDAR develops its own avionic solutions which serve to fly various types of UAV’s simultaneously on the same Ground Control Station (GCS). The company can provide customers with qualified ISR instructors for training of vehicles or to interpret sensor information alongside a RPAS capability requirement. All of the systems provided by UMS SKELDAR utilise exclusive design and build avionics, software and carry an authentic intellectual property rights (IPR).

About UMS SKELDAR

UMS SKELDAR is a world leader in the design and manufacture of both vertical take-off & landing (VTOL) and fixed wing high-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Formed through a joint venture between UMS AERO Group and Saab, UMS SKELDAR is Europe’s only provider of both Rotary and Fixed Wing platforms.

The company is headquartered near Basel in Switzerland, with twin manufacturing facilities in Switzerland (Möhlin) and Sweden (Linköping) and offers a comprehensive solutions portfolio specialising in the 3-12+ hour endurance range. The company provides a total solutions capability globally, including development, manufacture, testing, training, consultancy, maintenance, managed services and finance options (incorporating purchase/leasing and lease purchase). It also provides associated systems including ground control stations, communications links and data terminals.

With a highly active research and development programme UMS SKELDAR provides solutions to a wide variety of military defence and civil security sectors globally. To find out more about the company, click on http://umsskeldar.aero/