Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - UPAC S-100 (Feasibility study for URBAN PROTECTION AVIATION COPTER S-100)

Teaser

SCHIEBEL will develop a new remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS) for civil market applications including urban security which will be more cost-effective, reliable and versatile than current solutions. Currently air authorities worldwide are formulating the conditions to be...

Summary

SCHIEBEL will develop a new remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS) for civil market applications including urban security which will be more cost-effective, reliable and versatile than current solutions. Currently air authorities worldwide are formulating the conditions to be able to operate RPAS in the civil airspace, opening a myriad of new market opportunities. With its long-term experience and leadership in the RPAS market and its cooperation with regulatory authorities like EASA, SCHIEBEL is expected to be the first company to operate in the category of professional RPAS, a global market which is expected to reach a volume of 700 million USD in the next five years.

SCHIEBEL’s UPAC S-100 will revolutionize disaster relief, protection and surveillance of critical infrastructure and other areas in civil and urban environments, such as:

- Supporting first responders in monitoring disaster areas (e.g., the fire brigade in locating a fire, where people are exiting or how to get around the problem area)
- Instantly creating a temporary mobile phone network in only 30 minutes, dropping leaflets and talking to people via loudspeakers in case of destroyed infrastructure
- Entering contaminated areas (too risky for manned assets) and identifying (through sensors) biological/chemical hazard leaks
- Fast and flexible response to criminal acts (including terrorism)
- Inspections/maintenance of critical infrastructures, e.g. power lines and pipelines
- Improving coast guard activities, maritime emergency response and border control
- Monitoring and supporting operations in agricultural activities and alpine rescue

In the long term, the UPAC S-100 shall become a fundamental support tool for monitoring, controlling and supporting activities in urban areas, especially in the ever increasing number of megacities worldwide.

Work performed

The Feasibility Study undertaken defined the market opportunity and potential, the specific business case for SCHIEBEL, regulatory aspects, the necessary technical developments and the changes needed within SCHIEBEL’s organization to comply with all requirements to obtain the certifications and permissions needed to operate in the civil market.

It defined precisely the market potential in terms of markets, volume, geographical areas, type of clients, potential revenues and market size, establishing a roadmap with clear priorities, actions and targets. The main assessment is the recommendation to continue with the project and develop a prototype for the civil market that complies with actual and future requirements.

Final results

The Feasibility Study has provided a detailed insight into the technical requirements beyond the state of the art that will need to be implemented in the prototype of the UPAC S-100.

Concerning the impact, the Feasibility Study has provided a much wider view of the market opportunities for a civil RPAS. Additionally to its use in protecting urban infrastructures, several opportunities have been identified in the maritime, agricultural, energy and homeland security markets. Furthermore, a completely new perspective in terms of impact has been identified in the upcoming potential use of RPAS as “airborne Sentinels” in megacities, where SCHIEBEL has the potential to be one of the leaders in the market.

The implication of a RPAS operating in the civil market is wide:

- Personnel working under extreme conditions (e.g. rescue, security sectors) will be relieved
- Use of manned aircraft for dangerous operations (e.g. agricultural sector) will not be needed
- Tedious surveillance operations (energy pipelines, critical infrastructures) will be optimized
- Overall surveillance and coordination of actions in (mega)cities will be optimized

In summary, security and quality of life of people working in dangerous operations and of the general population in general will be greatly improved with the implementation of RPAS in the civil market.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.schiebel.net.