Schiebel enters the combat drone market: S-101 and S-301 with missiles and AI

From intelligence to fire — how the Austrians armed their drones

At the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London, the Austrian company Schiebel applied to participate in the combat drone race. Previously, its Camcopter S-100 was known as a reliable reconnaissance platform. Now it turns into a shock system. The company introduced two new models, the S—101 and S-301, which are no longer just observers, but full-fledged fighters with missiles on board.

This is not a modification. This is a new era for Austrian defense exports.

S-301 with 8 missiles and laser guidance

The S-301 is a large version based on the S-300. It can carry up to eight LMM light missiles or ten 70mm shells from Thales (FZ605 with FZ275 MOD 4 LGR missiles). The latter are semi—active laser-guided, hitting targets at a distance of up to 7 km. That is, the operator highlights the target, and the rocket itself flies on the beam.

Such a drone is ideal for precision strikes: on cars, bunkers, mortar positions. At the same time, it remains compact and does not require a long takeoff.

Smart, tenacious, heavy — that's why armies will love these drones

Both devices received military control systems protected from electronic interference, which is critical in modern combat conditions. Even more important are the elements of artificial intelligence. They help with data processing, target recognition, and even decision-making when communication is lost.

The S-101 is almost like the old S—100: up to 10 hours in the air, with a payload of 50 kg. The S-301 is more powerful: up to 340 kg of useful weight, up to 24 hours of autonomy with light loading and speeds up to 220 km/h.

Production in Wiener Neustadt and deliveries from 2026

All work is concentrated in a new division, Schiebel Defense GmbH, created specifically for the development of armed UAVs. That's where new cars will be assembled and tested.

The first deliveries are expected in 2026. Schiebel is ready to integrate any weapon at the customer's request, from adjustable bombs to new types of missiles. This makes the platforms versatile and attractive for different armies.

Sources

1. Shephard Media — S-101 & S-301 weaponised UAVs overview, Thales missile armament
2. Aerospace Global News — Public debut of armed Camcopter variants at DSEI 2025
3. Overclockers.ru — Schiebel shows missile-armed helicopters at the expo
4. The Defense Post — Launch news of weaponised Camcopter versions
5. Unmanned Systems Technology — Camcopter S-101 / S-301 tactical UAS launch
6. Janes — DSEI 2025: Schiebel showcases next-gen Camcopters
7. Aviation & Defence Universe — Next-generation UAS Camcopter S-101 & S-301 unveiled