Tekever has introduced a new, twin-engined fixed wing UAV designed for maritime surveillance missions.
The AR5 is designed to address maritime concerns such as environmental protection, fisheries monitoring, the identification of oil pollution, and the prevention of drug trafficking.
“The AR5 is a clear advance in our systems,” says Ricardo Mendes, chief executive of Tekever UAS. “It provides an excellent way to complement existing maritime surveillance operations and a low-cost response to the huge challenges posed within the maritime environment. This system takes most of the capability of a tactical UAV and shrinks it down to a more affordable and commercially available solution.”
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Although the official unveiling was made at the company’s stand during the show, the AR5 is already in operational use after Tekever secured maritime surveillance contracts in Europe, and it is now flying over both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
The AR5 can carry payloads including maritime radar, synthetic aperture radar, and the automatic identification system (AIS). This allows it to identify ships using an AIS transponder, which shows a vessel’s name, position, speed, course and heading and identification number.
Mendes stresses that the AR5 is designed to be cost effective, and can regularly operate beyond radio line of sight (BRLOS) with high-capacity satellite communications. An on-board processor can provide data analysis, supporting operators and helping to ensure that key information is not missed.
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
