The ScanEagle (SE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system was acquired as part of the missile corvette's upgrade programme to give it an organic surveillance capability.

The SE UAV system is made up of 4 components, namely, the Launcher, the SE UAV, the Skyhook, and the Control Station.

The Launcher is a pneumatic driven launcher which is pressurised. It acts like a catapult and launches the UAV into flight. The launcher is integrated to the deck of the missile corvette. It is swung out to its side to provide favourable wind conditions for launching the UAV.

The SE UAV is self-contained in a 2m by 0.5m canister. When not in use, it is stowed at the sides of the ship. The SE UAV is launched from the deck of the missile corvette.

The Skyhook is the recovery system for the UAV. It operates by using a global positioning system to guide the UAV back to the ship and recovery is via a capture rope.

The Control station is operated by a single operator. He monitors several systems, to control the UAV's flight profile. He controls the payload of the UAV to conduct surveillance and identification of targets of interest. The images are transmitted to ship's combat information center for processing. 

ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle