TEKEVER advances drone sonobuoy launching tech
Image courtesy TEKEVER
This technological advance significantly boosts maritime security capabilities by enabling underwater threat detection, including submarines, directly from drones.
During the exercises, TEKEVER's AR3 and AR5 UAVs were deployed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions on both land and sea, including an amphibious operation involving drone launches from land to sea. The highlight of the event was the AR5 drone, which successfully deployed sonobuoys for underwater threat detection. This capability provides end-users with a new tool for submarine detection and tracking, enhancing their ability to counter marine security challenges in high-risk but unmanned scenarios.
Another key innovation featured at REPMUS was the integration of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from IMSAR into the AR5 drone. This integration, along with the AR5’s electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras and SATCOM capabilities, reinforces the AR5's capability as a multimission platform, capable of handling complex military operations across various environments with superior real-time data collection.
The AR5 also demonstrated its versatility by successfully performing automatic take-offs and landings on runways as short as 200 metres (656 feet), highlighting its adaptability in a range of operational settings.
TEKEVER showcased several other technological advances at REPMUS, including:
- Integration of Thales' Spy-C Platform with Atlas: TEKEVER’s geospatial platform, Atlas, was integrated with Thales' Spy-C system, enabling seamless bidirectional communication and data sharing. This integration supports joint operations, ensuring smooth data flow, position updates, and real-time video streaming between platforms.
- IMSAR SAR Integration: The addition of IMSAR’s radar capabilities enhances the AR5’s operational range and surveillance quality, providing unmatched situational awareness for both land and maritime missions.
TEKEVER’s participation in REPMUS 2024 highlighted its efforts towards advancing drone technology for military applications, minimising human risk in high-stakes operations while delivering cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Ricardo Mendes, CEO of TEKEVER, said: "We are actively engaging with several NATO and partner nations, exploring new opportunities to bring these advanced capabilities to broader defence sectors."
Held on the Tróia Peninsula in Portugal, REPMUS 2024 brought together over 2,000 personnel from NATO and partner nations, as well as representatives from industry and academia, to demonstrate and test the latest unmanned systems and their role in maritime security.
