The European Union has selected the Austrian CAMCOPTER S-300 drone as the aerial platform for the SWORD project, an initiative funded by the European Defence Fund aimed at developing a new generation of anti-submarine warfare capabilities for European navies.
According to information shared by Defence Blog, the program will be carried out over 36 months by a consortium led by TKMS ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, the naval division of Germany’s Thyssenkrupp.
Developed by Austrian company Schiebel, the CAMCOPTER S-300 is an unmanned helicopter capable of carrying up to 350 kg of payload and remaining airborne for up to 24 hours. The aircraft was selected for its ability to operate from ships without requiring a runway, as well as its capacity to carry sensors, sonobuoys, and other equipment needed to locate and track submarines.
The central concept of the SWORD project is to enable ships to detect, track, and eventually neutralize submarines without having to approach the threat directly. Instead of sending a vessel to deploy sensors over a suspected area, the system will use drones to position this equipment remotely, reducing risks to crews while expanding operational coverage.
The initiative comes amid growing European concerns over Russian and Chinese submarine activities. In recent years, NATO countries have intensified submarine monitoring efforts in the North Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Mediterranean, while the European Union has also increased investments in unmanned systems focused on maritime security.
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Photo: Schiebel Corporation. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
