29 April 2022

Tekever reveals VTOL-capable variant of AR3 UAV

by Akshara Parakala

Tekever AR3 with hot-swappable VTOL capability. (Tekever)

Portuguese company Tekever Autonomous Systems has unveiled a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) variant of its AR3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with integrated synthetic aperture radar (SAR) at AUVSI Xponential 2022 in Orlando.

The conventional fixed-wing AR3 UAV has been fitted with four electrically powered rotors, two on each wing, which enables VTOL operations making it more suitable for vessel-based maritime missions and difficult terrain environments. The AR3 VTOL has port and starboard underwing fairings. Each fairing is fitted with fore and aft electric lift engines driving two-bladed propellers. A fixed-wing AR3 can be converted to VTOL configuration in hot-swappable mode in power-on conditions.

The company's CEO, Ricardo Mendes, told Janes that “the new version of our vastly proven AR3 is a modular and transformable platform. Users no longer have to choose between having pure fixed-wing assets for longer endurance missions, or fixed-wing VTOL assets for more challenging deployment conditions. The AR3 combines both capabilities and provides users with the ability to decide the configuration just moments before take-off”.

Its surveillance capability is stated to be 20,000 sq n miles per mission, and this is enhanced when fitted with a new dual side-looking SAR. The SAR, designed and built by Tekever, is called GAMASAR. Output from these sensors can be streamed in real time to the operator.

Portuguese company Tekever Autonomous Systems has unveiled a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) va...

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