Since 2015, the Czech company Primoco UAV SE has been developing and manufacturing civilian and military One 150 UAVs, capable of flying completely independently according to programmed flight plans. The key features of the aircraft are its size, maximum take-off weight of 150 kg, endurance of up to 15 hours depending on equipment, cruising speed of 120 km/h, payload of up to 30 kg, fully automatic take-off and landing. Primoco One 150 has EASA LUC SAIL III civil operating authorisation and is in the process of NATO STANAG 4703 certification. The company focuses on civil and military aeronautical applications, particularly in the areas of reconnaissance, energy, border and coastal security, and intelligence. More than 200 Primoco aircraft produced to date are in service in 15 different countries on four continents - from Germany to Malaysia. Primoco UAV is a publicly traded company on the main market of the Prague Stock Exchange.

Primoco UAV, Receives European LUC Authorization, Opening The Way To NATO STANAG 4703 Qualification

Challenge

Primoco UAVs are mid-size Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that meet the complex needs of real world applications in today’s civilian market. The Primoco UAV is built to be reliable and easy to operate. It can take off and land in daylight, at night and during poor weather conditions.

Implementation

UAV Navigation, a Spanish developer of advanced flight control solutions for professional UAVs, has been involved in the project from the start. Since 2016, close cooperation between the technical teams has allowed rapid development of the platform from prototype to deliverable product. UAV Navigation follows a strict philosophy of creating long-term partnerships with its clients.

Outcome

Primoco UAV has been granted the Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) in the 'Specific' category. This is the first time such a certification has been issued to an unmanned fixed wing platform manufacturer in Europe (previously awarded only for rotary wing platforms).

This authorization allows the Czech manufacturer to carry out the most challenging flight operations, as the authorization is the highest level that can be achieved under current European regulations.

“The Primoco UAV Model ONE 150 has a maximum take-off weight of 150 kg combined with a flight time of up to 15 hours, a range from the ground station of up to 200 km and an overall distance covered of up to 2,000 km. This endurance combined with a cruise speed of 100–150 km/h gives the Primoco UAV – compared to electric aircraft – unmatched performance in its category, while at the same time operating costs are kept to a minimum. The unique features of the UAV ONE 150 are its 30 kg payload and its high-altitude capability allowing extended missions with a mixed sensor payload and operation at altitudes of 2,000 m or higher” stated Primoco.

LUC certification will allow the Czech company to operate its platform for critical infrastructure inspections and other applications as authorized within the European framework. Thanks to this authorization Primoco UAV has executed the first successful BVLOS-flight of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) while regular air traffic was happening in a military airspace of the Bundeswehr in Manching.

In addition to LUC certification, Primoco has also been approved as a Design and Manufacturing Organization in accordance with EMAR 21 military standards, and it is also in the process of obtaining certification in accordance with NATO STANAG 4703. These approvals mean that the Company is unique in the UAV world as it is able to offer aircraft manufactured to standards that are recognized globally by aviation authorities.