The Sharc is a short-range vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV for smaller ship and non-military applications. The innovative coaxial rotary-wing configuration is derived from the legacy SEAMOS program and provides a very agile and efficient VTOL-UAV with very small footprint. The payload capacity of up to 60 kg provides sufficient space to carry a high-end EO/IR sensor, alternatively radar, and to integrate the necessary means for ATOL (automatic-take-off and landing) on moving platforms (sensors, etc.). With an endurance of four hours this VTOL-UAV class will be an ideal solution for all kind of security missions. A heavy fuel engine configuration will be integrated specifically for ship application. For certification of the new developed Flight Control System (FCS) a flight test campaign was started recently in order to meet the initial operating capability (IOC) scheduled for 2008/2009.
