Tekever is in talks with the Portuguese government regarding the potential acquisition of its VR1 Colibri quadcopter to operate alongside the nation's fleet of fixed-wing unmanned air vehicles.
The Colibri was introduced earlier this year, and is the first vertical take-off and landing system developed by the company.
It was designed to work alongside Tekever's fixed-wing platforms, many of which are already in use by Portuguese government agencies including the military and police force, and payloads can be swapped between the different aircraft.
The quadcopter and fixed-wing types operate using the same communications link and ground control system, so it is easy to exchange payloads and then operate it quickly afterwards, says Rob Whitehouse, business development director.
“With this you have a UAV to provide an overwatch and another that can then carry out closer inspection,” he says. “We think it fits well having a system that contains the quadcopter and the fixed-wing UAV.”
BillyPix
Meanwhile, Tekever is continuing a sales push for its fixed-wing platforms, including pitching them to an undisclosed African nation to for terrorist surveillance missions.
Pricing discussions are ongoing, and the contract would see Tekever establish an in-country service centre to support the effort.
A six-month-long trial using a variety of Tekever platforms is also being carried out by the government of the Azores islands.
“We’re working with them to discuss different systems and sensors that are suited to their missions,” says Ricardo Mendes, chief operating officer.
“Through this we are testing different combinations and carrying out live trials and at the same time we’re studying with them the operational and business models.”
The trials, in part to monitor illegal fishing, began in April.
Source: Flight Daily News
