Thales was awarded a contract by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to deliver Fulmar Unmanned Air Service (UAS) units to be installed on six naval vessels, the company said Monday.

The Fulmar is a small, high-performance fixed-wing UAS with a maritime design that allows it to take-off and land while the launching ship is in motion, which was a key requirement of the MMEA. Thales classifies Fulmar as a mini-UAV and has a size of 3.1 meters and weighs 42 pounds. It has a range of eight hours, a top altitude of 3,000 meters, can achieve a speed of 93 miles per hour, and can fly up to nearly 500 miles without refueling.  

Artist's conception of the Fulmar Unmanned Air Service (UAS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Image: Thales.
Artist’s conception of the Fulmar Unmanned Air Service (UAS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Image: Thales.

The Fulmar is to be installed on six New Generation Patrol Crafts (NGPC), which are being built by Destini Shipbuilding and Engineering Sdn. Bhd. The company touted how the system allows the UAS to be rapidly deployed and retrieved with minimal interference to the ship’s operations when in motion.

Thales highlighted Fulmar extends the operational capabilities of the Malaysian maritime surveillance fleet which includes counter-piracy, anti-smuggling operations, fisheries policies, and border surveillance. The system also offers surveillance features like Automatic Detection and Tracking systems and Automated Identification Systems (AIS).

“As the MMEA seeks to upgrade its surveillance capabilities, the Fulmar provides a competitive solution which complements its state-of-the-art vessels. We are pleased to partner with Thales in further developing the expertise in coastal surveillance in Malaysia,”Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rodzali Bin Daud, chairman of Destini Berhad, said in a statement.

Starting this year Thales employees in Malaysia are set to provide local training and support for to Fulmar to ensure effective knowledge transfer for operational and maintenance needs through the system’s life cycle, the company said.