EDGE Group has announced the successful completion of Factory Acceptance Trials (FAT) for six ANAVIA HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters, which have now been delivered to the Angolan Navy under a EUR 1 billion naval programme covering three corvettes.
The trials were conducted from 24 to 28 August at ANAVIA’s facilities in Bilten, Switzerland, with the participation of a high-level delegation from the Angolan Navy and Simportex, Angola’s public enterprise responsible for the supply, acquisition and importation of equipment, materiel and services supporting the country’s defence and security sector.
The successful trials included the first operational flying tests of all six HT-100 NAVAL systems. Following completion of the FAT, all six systems were delivered to the Angolan Navy, marking an important step towards their integration with the BR71 MK II corvettes and the enhancement of maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE Group, said the successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Trials marks an important milestone in delivering the advanced capability to the Angolan Navy. He added that collaboration between EDGE, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and ANAVIA is combining naval platforms and unmanned systems to provide an integrated solution aligned with Angola’s operational requirements.
The six HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters will be integrated onto three BR71 MK II Combattante corvettes being delivered to the Angolan Navy by EDGE’s naval arm, ADSB. Two HT-100 NAVAL systems will be assigned to each vessel and fully integrated with the corvettes’ combat management systems.
Equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, the HT-100 NAVAL systems are designed to extend the vessels’ surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and provide an integrated unmanned capability for maritime operations.
Ishan Sahgal, Co-CEO and Founder of ANAVIA, said the milestone demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver a complete, fully autonomous system for shipborne operations tailored to customer requirements. He added that cooperation with the Angolan Navy, EDGE and industry partners further strengthens international confidence in ANAVIA’s products.
With delivery of all six HT-100 NAVAL systems completed, the programme will now progress to their integration onboard the BR71 MK II platforms. This will be followed by sea trials of the integrated capability on the vessels in Angola, bringing the programme closer to operational service with the Angolan Navy.
The BR71 MK II programme forms part of the EUR 1 billion contract signed between EDGE and the Angolan Navy for three 71-metre multi-mission corvettes. The first-of-class vessel, NRA Ekuikui II, was launched in Cherbourg, France, while the second corvette is being constructed by ADSB in Abu Dhabi and the third by CMN Naval in Cherbourg.
