Czech Manufacturer Primoco UAV Achieves Milestone Military and Civilian Certifications for One 150 Unmanned Aircraft
Primoco UAV SE, a pioneering Czech manufacturer, has made history by becoming the first company to earn both NATO military certification and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) authorization under a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) for its flagship medium-sized unmanned aircraft, the One 150. This significant milestone is the result of five years of rigorous development and testing, providing Primoco UAV with a competitive edge in the UAV market.
The One 150 model, with a maximum take-off weight of 150 kg, sets a global standard for certification in its class, as it is currently the only UAV to be certified under NATO’s STANAG 4703 standard. This recognition simplifies the approval process for operations across various NATO member states, allowing for immediate deployment of the One 150 in military applications.
“Our team, consisting of nearly 40 engineers, designers, verification specialists, and pilot-operators, dedicated five years to proving that our aircraft meets the stringent requirements necessary for operations alongside manned military aircraft and other certified UAVs,” explained Ladislav Semetkovský, the founder and CEO of Primoco UAV.
The certification process entailed conducting 200 test verifications, completing more than 170 test flights, and around 50 ground tests, accumulating an impressive 28,000 pages of documentation, 500 hours of videography, and 123 GB of data. “This extensive effort highlights both the challenges of achieving this certification and the significant competitive advantage it confers upon our company,” Semetkovský added.
In addition to its accomplishments in military aviation, Primoco UAV has made strides in the civilian sector by acquiring an EASA Light UAS Operator Certificate at the SAIL III level, awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Czech Republic. This certification grants the company permission to operate the One 150 over urban environments with a population density of up to 5,000 people per square kilometer, contingent upon adhering to specified risk mitigation measures. For perspective, Prague, where Primoco is headquartered, has a population density of 2,800 people per square kilometer.
“This certification serves as a confirmation of our advanced technical capabilities and our compliance with top-tier regulatory standards. These competencies enable us to devise sophisticated UAV solutions in environments where most unmanned aircraft encounter restrictions or complicated exemptions. Furthermore, it allows for operations in shared airspaces with manned aircraft, enhancing our operational versatility,” noted Semetkovský.
The One 150 remains unique as the only UAV in its category with these certifications. The EASA civilian certification empowers the One 150 to deliver essential services, including emergency response operations that provide mobile communications during power outages or natural disasters, as well as airport navigation system calibration in densely populated areas, affording significant cost savings compared to manned alternatives.
About Primoco UAV SE
Established in 2015, Primoco UAV SE has been at the forefront of developing and manufacturing the One 150, a fully autonomous UAV intended for military and civilian purposes. The aircraft boasts a compact profile, a maximum take-off weight of 150 kg, an endurance capability of up to 15 hours, a cruising speed of 120 km/h, and a payload capacity of up to 30 kg. It features automated take-off and landing functionalities and holds both EASA LUC SAIL III civilian and NATO STANAG 4703 military certifications. Since its inception, Primoco UAV has supplied over 200 specialized aircraft to clients in 15 countries across four continents and is publicly traded on the Prague Stock Exchange, focusing on applications such as reconnaissance, energy infrastructure monitoring, coastal security, and intelligence operations.
Original Article: Czech Manufacturer Primoco UAV Secures Historic Military and Civilian Certifications for its One 150 Unmanned Aircraft
