In recent weeks, the Belgian Navy successfully conducted the first training flights of the Skeldar V-200 unmanned helicopter at Ursel airfield. This drone will provide the new minehunters with enhanced capabilities for detecting and neutralizing naval mines.
Belgian MoD press release – Translated by Naval News
The Skeldar V-200 is an unmanned helicopter with a wingspan of approximately 4.5 meters and a weight of around 250 kilograms. Depending on its payload, the aircraft can remain airborne for up to four hours.
Key role in the fight against mines
“Thanks to its data link, the Skeldar allows us to conduct mine countermeasures operations at greater distances,” explains Captain Kristof Van Belleghem, Chief of Staff of the Navy. “We can also use it to detect drifting mines and thus enhance the ship’s safety.” Mine countermeasures vessels will therefore be able to remain outside the minefield, significantly increasing crew safety.
The training flights focused primarily on piloting: familiarization with flight systems, acquisition of routines by operators and maintenance of the necessary flight hours.
“There are three piloting modes for the Skeldar,” explains Kenneth, drone operator and head of tactical maritime drones. “Manual piloting, with direct adjustment of trajectory, speed, and altitude; automatic mode on a predefined route; or flight according to a programmed pattern.”
Deployable from land and sea
The Skeldar V-200 is remotely controlled and monitored from a cockpit, the Remote Pilot System (RPS). Initial test flights were conducted using cockpits from the supplier, but the Belgian Defence will soon have its own RPS systems. These are also available in a containerized configuration, allowing operators to deploy the Skeldar both at sea and on land.
“The aircraft were acquired for use at sea, but training always begins on land,” explains Kenneth. “That’s why we’re at Ursel. We conduct simple flight paths and ensure that the operators complete their required flight hours, just like airline pilots.“
Towards a full Skeldar fleet
Over the next few years, the two Skeldar drones currently in service will be augmented to bring the fleet to ten. They are part of the new minehunter’s toolkit: a modular system comprising different types of drones. This toolkit varies depending on the mission and can be deployed from both sea and land. The first of the new minehunters, the M940 Oostende , recently arrived in Zeebrugge.
Binational cooperation as a driver of innovation
The integration of the Skeldar V-200 is not only an important milestone for Belgium, but also a concrete example of the close collaboration with the Netherlands within the framework of the rMCM (Replacement Mine Countermeasures) program. This binational project aims to completely renew the mine countermeasures capabilities of both navies. A total of twelve vessels will be built: six for the Belgian Navy and six for the Royal Netherlands Navy. The entire fleet will be operational by 2030. The program was awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium comprising Naval Group and Exail.
Thanks to this enhanced cooperation, Belgium and the Netherlands are not only improving their operational interoperability, but are also positioning themselves as European leaders in innovative and secure mine action.
The trials conducted at Ursel were carried out in close collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Navy. They represent an essential step in preparing the Belgian and Dutch navies for modern, safe, and effective mine countermeasures.
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