Austria Unveils Armed Camcopter S-301 Helicopter Drone With Laser-Guided Rockets at UMEX 2026.

Austrian defense company Schiebel used UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi to debut the Camcopter S-301, the fully militarized armed evolution of its S-300 rotary-wing unmanned aircraft. The display highlights a growing push to equip compact, ship-capable VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drones with precision-strike roles traditionally reserved for manned helicopters.

At the UMEX 2026 unmanned systems exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Schiebel presented the Camcopter S-301 for the first time in the Middle East, marking a significant step in the platform’s evolution from surveillance-focused UAV to armed system. According to company officials at the show, the S-301 was unveiled in a combat-ready configuration, fitted with two Thales FZ602 rocket pods carrying laser-guided 70 mm munitions, underscoring its intended role in naval and expeditionary strike missions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Schiebel Camcopter S-301 displayed in armed configuration at UMEX 2026, equipped with dual Thales FZ602 launchers carrying FZ275 laser-guided rockets, marking its first public appearance in the Middle East as a fully combat-capable rotary-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The S-301 has been developed from the outset as a military platform, incorporating combat-operational features derived from Schiebel’s S-300 experience with rotary UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) helicopter-design drone, now enhanced for armed deployment. This next-generation drone is specifically designed for tactical land and naval forces seeking a flexible, armed solution deployable without runways or heavy infrastructure.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 485 kg, the S-301 is powered by a heavy-fuel engine rated at 59 kW (79 hp) and is compatible with NATO-standard JP-5/JP-8 fuels. The platform supports a payload capacity of more than 110 kg and delivers over 10 hours of flight endurance, depending on payload and conditions. Its rotor system has a diameter of 4.8 meters, and the airframe measures 4.7 meters in length and 1.8 meters in height.

The S-301 operates at altitudes up to 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) and maintains a standard line-of-sight communication range of 200 km, which can be extended through satellite communications. Its structure is built for field resilience, allowing deployment in high-temperature, saltwater, sand, and dust conditions, as confirmed by the environmental standards listed in its technical documentation.

The armed configuration displayed at UMEX 2026 showcased the platform's true multi-role evolution. The dual FZ602 rocket launchers are mounted on reinforced wing stubs, each capable of carrying seven Thales FZ275 laser-guided rockets. This configuration enables the S-301 to strike moving or fixed targets with high precision, reducing the need for external fire support or manned strike assets. The platform is capable of autonomously designating targets via its onboard EO/IR payload and engaging them within the same mission cycle.

In addition to its strike capability, the S-301 supports a full suite of modular mission payloads. The brochure details options including EO/IR turrets, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), maritime surveillance radars such as ELIR, electronic warfare payloads, and SIGINT/ELINT systems. Payload integration is enabled by MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760 digital interfaces, ensuring NATO-standard compatibility and plug-and-play reconfiguration across missions.

The avionics suite includes fully autonomous flight control with automatic takeoff and landing (ATOL), mission waypoint planning, real-time in-flight retasking, and autonomous emergency return-to-base (RTB). Navigation is supported by a dual GPS/INS setup with fallback modes for GPS-denied environments. The S-301 is also equipped with engine-out recovery protocols and supports safe landing procedures under degraded conditions.

From a structural perspective, the S-301 airframe uses corrosion-resistant materials, allowing sustained naval operation. Its rotor system is foldable for compact stowage aboard ships, and the system includes deck tie-downs and safety features for handling in rough sea states.

Thermal and acoustic signature reduction has also been engineered into the airframe, supporting covert operations in surveillance and strike roles. The drone can be deployed from ships, trucks, trailers, or forward operating bases without launch or recovery equipment and can operate in austere or denied areas with limited infrastructure.

Mission roles outlined in the documentation include tactical surveillance, coastal defense, shipborne force protection, convoy overwatch, border patrol, counter-terrorism, precision strikes on high-value targets, and loitering engagement in support of special operations forces. The modularity of the system ensures that the same airframe can shift from ISR to kinetic operations and back within minutes.

At UMEX 2026, only the armed version of the Camcopter S-301 was displayed, clearly emphasizing Schiebel’s intent to position the platform as a direct-response combat system. The combination of VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) agility, long endurance, and precision-guided munitions integrated into a single NATO-compatible platform reflects a growing demand from modern armed forces for compact, autonomous, and lethal air assets.

The S-301 is controlled via a modular ground control station, which can be fixed or mobile, and includes displays for mission planning, flight monitoring, weapon control, and video analytics. The GCS supports full C4I integration with existing military networks and secure data links.

The Camcopter S-301 is more than just an armed version of a legacy drone. It is a purpose-built, combat-ready VTOL platform that bridges the gap between ISR and close air support, designed to operate where larger fixed-wing UAVs cannot and where manned aircraft are not viable.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.