Saab is the known Swedish automaker that has pioneered the turbocharged vehicles in 1977. Just this month, the company has released an improved Saab Turbocharged X, which has a high-powered engine, at the Frankfurt Auto Show to the delight of many. Aside from this turbocharged technology, Saab does not only manufacture automobiles, but also makes airplanes. In fact, by next year Saab’s Skeldar UAV, which is an enlarged maritime variant, will be taking its first flight and landing on a local flight deck.
This developmental Skeldar is set to conduct a series of flight test activities, but the company is still looking for an all-time naval partner to do the said plan. For now, the Saab Aerosystems will be showcasing a model of the Skeldar at the DSEi exhibition in London starting from Sept. 11 until the 14th. The said aircraft, which will be running solely on remote controls, will take off and land at the flight deck of the Swedish navy’s Visby-class stealth corvette HSMS Nykoping.
The upgraded Saab-produced Skeldar will be demonstrating the so-called autonomous deck landing. This can be achieved by the aircraft by providing the plane with real-time date on the direction of where the ship is heading. Moreover, the Skeldar will not be just a showcase because the United Nations is actually looking on the benefits of gearing the Swedish peacekeepers with such transportation in the future. If these aircrafts will be acquired, the Skeldar can offer surveillance as well as area patrol services.
Also called as the V-250, the 550-lb Skeldar UAV will utilize a heavier fuel engine that can guarantee an increase in the aircraft’s cargo capabilities. Moreover, this upgraded Skeldar can do up to 180km per hour speed compared to the older V-150 Skeldar ‘s 100km per hour capacity.
