CUCUYO AND CAVOK UAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE FLIGHT TESTS FOR LASER COMMUNICATION TERMINAL
February 6, 2025 – Cucuyo and Cavok UAS have successfully conducted flight tests that integrated Cucuyo’s P-100 airborne laser communication terminal with Cavok UAS drones. These tests, held in Spain, represent a significant advancement in airborne laser communication technology.
Testing the P-100 Laser Communication Terminal
A series of twelve tests were executed to evaluate the integration and performance of the P-100 terminal. This rigorous assessment followed comprehensive physical and mechanical integration stages, designed to resemble real-world operational scenarios. The flight trials were conducted in collaboration with engineering teams from Cavok UAS in France and Spain, alongside skilled test pilots.
Spain was selected as the ideal site for testing due to its favorable conditions for performance assessment. Results not only met the pre-established objectives but surpassed expectations, laying the groundwork for subsequent phases of technical development. Future evaluations will aim to enhance the robustness of the data link.
Advantages of Cucuyo’s Laser Communication Technology
Cucuyo’s laser communication technology presents numerous advantages over traditional radio frequency (RF) systems:
- Higher Data Rates: The P-100 laser terminal can achieve a remarkable bidirectional data rate of 1 Gbps over distances of up to 40 km, significantly improving the speed and efficiency of data transmission from onboard sensors.
- Enhanced Security and Resilience: The narrow laser beam is difficult to intercept, jam, or detect, providing high resistance to interference, thereby increasing security for both the ground operators and aerial platforms. The system’s reliable nature makes it resilient against spoofing attempts as well.
- No Licensing Requirements: Unlike RF systems, the laser communication system does not necessitate country-specific frequency licenses, streamlining deployment and cutting costs, especially for international operations.
- Improved Operational Flexibility: The system offers GNSS substitution capabilities in areas where satellite signals may be compromised and can adapt to various challenging environments, employing drones as relay nodes to maintain line-of-sight.
Industry Perspectives on the Test Results
Fabrice Parodi, CEO of Cavok UAS remarked, “We are excited about the results of these flight tests, which not only affirm the integrity of our integration process but also pave the way for the next important milestones in our innovation journey. We eagerly anticipate further testing with the upgraded Cucuyo P-100 terminal, as we approach a fully operational solution.”
Dr. Markus Knapek, CTO & Managing Director of Cucuyo emphasized the importance of these test results: “The data gathered from these flight tests, facilitated by our collaboration with Cavok UAS, is critical for validating our product. Our specialists have already begun analyzing this data to optimize operational concepts and to improve the link stabilization system of our P-100.”
About Cucuyo
Cucuyo creates laser-based communication products tailored for various applications, with a goal to launch laser communication terminals as market-ready solutions. The P-100 terminal is specifically engineered for small UAVs, balancing power consumption, weight, and data transfer rates. This technology enhances data transmission speed by up to 50 times compared to conventional RF links while mitigating risks of jamming, spoofing, or interception, making it ideal for UAV operations that demand secure and rapid data transmission. Cucuyo is based in Pfaeffikon SZ, Switzerland, with a subsidiary located near Munich, Germany.
For more information, visit Cucuyo and Cucuyo Laser Communication for Drones.
About Cavok UAS
Cavok UAS specializes in the design and manufacture of professional drones, encompassing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAVs, with payload capacities ranging from 4 kg to 1,360 kg Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW). Their equipment is selected based on specific mission requirements while adhering to safety standards. All production occurs in France, including components designed in-house such as motors and electronic speed controls (ESCs). Cavok UAS caters to global markets across various sectors, including agriculture, cargo delivery, rescue, security, and defense.
For further details, visit Cavok UAS.
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