Thales Debut’s EW Suite for S-301 Camcopter

By Andrew White

At June’s biennial Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, France, Thales highlighted an integrated electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) sensor suite and effectors package on board the new Schiebel Camcopter S-301.

Unveiled by Austria’s Scheibel Defence in September 2025, the S-301 is the latest member in the family of VTOL UAVs that already includes the smaller S-100 and S-101. The S-301 is under contract with the Republic of Korea Navy with deliveries set to begin towards the end of 2026.

Matt Moore, Deputy Sales Director for ISR at Thales, confirmed the S-301 is likely to be pitched to Royal Navy and French Navy programs in the “near future,” with the company also targeting opportunities in other international markets.

Thales also displayed a sensor package for a “land version” of the S-301 which Moore believes is a likely candidate to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s Project Nyx autonomous collaborative project which will see AH-64E Apache attack helicopters controlled multiple VTOL UAVs equipped with sensors and effectors.

The Land-focused S-301, dubbed “Multi-Mission Uncrewed Air Power”, was shown carrying the ACAS X airborne collision avoidance system; micro TMA platform data link for crewed and uncrewed systems; AirMaster C 2D AESA radar; I-Master surveillance radar; CURCO light radar ESM system for drones; and the Eagle Tracker communications ESM/COMINT payload.

According to Thales material presented at Eurosatory, the S-301 was “integrated with advanced Thales sensors, connectivity solutions and effectors, [to]deliver scalable, multi-mission capability for today’s operational challenges”. Effectors include 68-mm and 70-mm guided rockets and the Toutatis short range loitering munition, launched from a double canister.

Moore also said Thales is looking to integrate a Radio Frequency (RF) jammer on board the platform. “The platform can be equipped with EO/IR sensors, maritime radar, electronic warfare systems and other mission-specific payloads,” company literature confirmed.

In January, Thales was one of seven companies down-selected by the UK MOD to share concepts to pair Apache helicopters with drones as part of the next phase of Project Nyx.

“Seven industry partners have been invited to bring forward their designs for the futuristic drones, which will accompany British Army helicopters in future battles,” according to an MOD statement. “When completed, the drones will be able to function as ‘loyal wingmen,’ working alongside crewed Apache attack helicopters to perform a variety of complex tasks, such as reconnaissance and surveillance in contested areas, strike and target acquisition and electronic warfare. The drones will operate on a ‘command rather than control’ principle, utilising AI for independent decision-making – being able to adjust to complex battlefield situations within the bounds of mission parameters. They will enhance lethality, survivability, and mission effectiveness while reducing the risk and logistical burden for human-operated systems.”

Project Nyx aims to achieve an initial operational capability by 2030. Thales is competing against Anduril, BAE Systems and Tekever.