Camcopter S-300 Completes First Flight Test Campaign

Schiebel, December 18, 2025 - Vienna, Austria - Schiebel has successfully completed the first CAMCOPTER® S-300 flight test campaign in France, marking an important milestone in the programme’s progression.

The flights were conducted at the CESA Drones test site in Sainte-Hélène near Bordeaux, where the S-300 further expanded the operational envelope, reaching a total of 100 flight hours.

The flight activities in France build on previous experience gained with the CAMCOPTER® S-300 and represent a further step in expanding the aircraft’s operational flight envelope. Conducted in a military environment, the flights focused on verifying key flight characteristics and overall system performance.

Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said “France has been a trusted partner for Schiebel for many years, making it a natural location for the next phase of CAMCOPTER® S-300 flight activities. Our long-standing relationship with the French Navy and our local presence through Schiebel Aéronaval SAS reflect our deep roots in France, while the S-300 is being developed to meet the requirements of international military and government users worldwide, building on Schiebel’s global experience in unmanned aviation.”

During the flights, the CAMCOPTER® S-300 demonstrated stable and controlled behaviour while undergoing typical evaluations for an unmanned air system at this stage, including handling qualities, flight control response and overall aircraft performance.

The CAMCOPTER® S-300 builds directly on Schiebel’s extensive experience with the CAMCOPTER® S-100, a maritime-proven unmanned helicopter with several hundred thousand flight hours accumulated worldwide. Drawing on this operational heritage, the S-300 is designed to deliver increased payload capacity, extended endurance and enhanced mission flexibility for demanding military and government applications.

Camcopter S-300

Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-300 Unmanned Air System (UAS) is designed to meet the requirements of customers seeking extended range, long endurance, and enhanced payload-carrying capabilities.

With its maximum payload capacity of 250 kg and maximum endurance of 24 hours, the Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS is intended for ISTAR operations with multiple higher performing and therefore heavier sensors and radars, cargo delivery missions or for dropping multiple sonobuoys for Anti- Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations.

Its three-bladed foldable rotor ensures a minimal footprint as it can easily be stowed and maintained in confined spaces or in ships’ hangars. To ensure maximum mission versatility and cost effectiveness, the heavy-lift-capable S-300 can be controlled by the same, proven Ground Control Station used by the smaller CAMCOPTER® S-100.

About Schiebel: Founded in 1951 in Vienna, the globally operating Schiebel Group focuses on the development, design and production of the revolutionary CAMCOPTER® S-100 and S-300 Unmanned Air Systems (UAS). Certified to meet AS/EN 9100 standards, Schiebel has built an international reputation for producing high-tech military, commercial and humanitarian products, which are backed by exceptional after-sales service and support. Schiebel has facilities in Vienna and Wiener Neustadt (Austria), Toulon (France), Manassas, VA (USA), Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Shoalhaven (Australia).