TEKEVER and the Portuguese Navy Sign A Scientific and Industrial Collaboration Protocol

The TEKEVER Group and the Portuguese Navy signed on June 24th, at the Naval School, two Protocols that establish the principles of their mutual scientific and industrial collaboration for the development of joint activities in the domains of autonomous aerial systems, communications systems and of the management of complex systems. 

Strengthening an already long-term partnership between TEKEVER and the Portuguese Navy, the Protocols now signed translate the development of studies and research activities, the exchange of knowledge and technological and operational know-how and also the implementation of operational activities for the validation and testing of systems, with the ultimate goal of modernising the Portuguese Navy's operational assets and enhancing its readiness level.

At the ceremony, Rear-Admiral Edgar Bastos Ribeiro, Commander of the Naval School, underlined the relevance for the Portuguese Navy, and for the Naval School in particular, of this opportunity to contribute significantly to the national innovation effort. On its turn, TEKEVER's CEO, Eng. Pedro Sinogas, highlighted the Company's proud to have the Portuguese Navy as a privileged partner in the endeavour to develop synergies that are able to consolidate both entities' leading positions in the scope of the Economy of the Sea. 

TEKEVER Awarded Two More Innovative Projects by EDA

TEKEVER ASDS has just been awarded two more research and development projects by the European Defence Agency (EDA), reinforcing its status as the leading Portuguese company involved with EDA projects. 

The new projects are the Soldier Portable Energy Reserve PACK (SPER-PACK) and the uLtralight weigh bulletproof VESTs (LIVEST), both funded under EDA's Combat Equipment for Dismounted Soldier (CEDS) programme. Led by TEKEVER, SPER-PACK will assess different technologies for energy generation, storage and management considering the operational environment and the user profiles, in order to propose a preliminary design of a flexible, plug 'n' play power supply system for the dismounted soldier. The SPER-PACK design will also anticipate the integration of different technologies at or before mission time, being capable of supporting multiple and unanticipated energy generation, harvesting and storage solutions, supported by a powerful and smart power management subsystem. The SPER-PACK Consortium is comprised of TEKEVER, FOI, CEA and Sagem.

 The LIVEST Project will investigate the feasibility of developing a Smart Wearable Textile & Body Armour System based on a soft body armour, enabled through the use of 3D textile structures, especially conceived to reduce weight and increase comfort, and the combination of 3D fabric with current ballistic woven fabric, aiming to reduce trauma cause by high energy impact of bullets and to improve the armour's ballistic protection performance. The Project will also address the integration of wearable electronics for 3D structure and vest monitoring. The LIVEST Consortium is led by AITEX and composed of CITEVE, Paul Boyé Technologies and TEKEVER.

With SPER-PACK and LIVEST, TEKEVER reinforces its position as the Portuguese company with the largest participation in the European Defence Agency's innovation programmes.

TEKEVER Conducts Successful Trials of the AR4 Light Ray UAS in Colombia

TEKEVER conducted an intensive one-week set of trials of the AR4 Light Ray UAS to the Colombian Armed Forces, to validate the system's powerful capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, under the extreme altitude and weather conditions of Colombia.

With very intense military activity against guerrilla forces and narcotraffic groups, the Colombian Armed Forces are everyday faced with the need to carry out ISTAR missions under extreme weather and geographic conditions. The Colombian landscape is poised with high altitude mountains that contribute to a very instable weather, prune to swift changes and speedy winds. These conditions, coupled with very dense vegetation, pose a true ambitious challenge to the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems by the Colombian Armed Forces.

The technical trials carried out by the AR4 Light Ray UAS were performed at high altitudes, around 3000 meters (about 10.000 feet) and right in the heart of the mountainous region surrounding Bogotá, demonstrating the system’s ability to perform in the most challenging scenarios and under the most demanding weather conditions.

"The trials were a complete success," said Ricardo Mendes, TEKEVER Group COO. "We met and exceeded the goals we had planned for, by demonstrating the usage of the system to perform multiple types of missions in one of the most challenging environments in the world."

In partnership with the Aviation Global Group, TEKEVER's AR4 Light Ray demonstration followed a special invitation from the Colombian Armed Forces in November 2012 to see first-hand the outstanding performance of the system, after its global market launch at the 2012 Farnborough International Air Show.

The Colombian Armed Forces retrieved valuable lessons from the demonstrations, which will be instrumental for its ongoing procurement on mini-UASs that are specially designed for surveillance missions and capable of delivering true airborne superiority. 

"After these trials, we are extremely confident that our system will be successful in fulfilling the special requirements of the Colombian Armed Forces.", said Ricardo Mendes. He reinforced that this opportunity to present the AR4 Light Ray UAS to the Colombian Armed Forces represents an important step towards the reinforcement of Portuguese aeronautics in the global aerospace market. 

TEKEVER Unveils AR5 Life Ray in Portugal

TEKEVER publicly presents for the first time in Portugal the latest addition to its family of Unmanned Aerial Systems, the Tactical UAS AR5 Life Ray, at the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) Annual Convention, taking place on October 10th-12th, in Lisbon. TEKEVER sponsors the most important event for ASD, an Association that has 28 member associations in 20 countries, representing more than 2,000 companies with approximately 80,000 suppliers and bringing together the major players at the ASDS market.

Specifically designed for Maritime and Near-Shore Surveillance and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, the AR5 Life Ray is an impressive 9-meter wingspan platform, able to achieve a cruise speed of 120 km/h, carry a 90-kg payload for multiple sensors and provide satellite communications, thus delivering a new added advantage to current monitoring activities and rescue operations. 

"For centuries, Portugal has looked towards the Sea for technological, social, cultural and economic prosperity. Once, we led innovation in Maritime environments, and it gave us greatness. Now, we are working hard to really push the envelope of technology with the AR5 Life Ray UAS, and it makes a lot of sense that a great product, primarily targeted to the Maritime Market, comes from Portugal.", commented TEKEVER’s COO Ricardo Mendes. The AR5 Life Ray is scheduled to begin operational tests in 2013.

TEKEVER Disrupts The Unmanned Aerial Systems Market !

AR4 Light Ray in Flight

TEKEVER’s presence at this year’s Farnborough Air Show will be focused on the unmanned aerial systems market. TEKEVER’s AR4 Light Ray will be the first fully autonomous UAS to be exhibited in an international Air Show, performing daily flights between July 9th and 13th.

The AR4 Light Ray is a state-of-the-art mini UAS providing advanced capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions in the most challenging conditions. Featuring a broad sensor payload portfolio, this hand-launched modular UAV platform is extremely adaptable and easy to operate, requiring minimum training and providing precise situational awareness whenever needed. Offering multiple modes of operation, from remotely controlled to fully autonomous, “the AR4 Light Ray delivers true airborne superiority, unprecedented operational readiness, reliable communications relay functions and powerful target acquisition capabilities, focused in on-board intelligence and tracking of specific static or moving elements of interest”, announced TEKEVER’s COO Ricardo Mendes. Farnborough will be the stage for the worldwide market launch of the AR4 Light Ray. TEKEVER is already in negotiations with Organizations from several European, Asian and South American countries.

At the 2012 UK Aerospace industry event, TEKEVER will have its own dedicated stand (Hall 2, Booth C6) and will be also exhibiting in the Static Display a 1:1 model of the AR5 Life Ray, a Tactical UAS that “sets new standards for unmanned systems’ performance in Maritime Surveillance and Search and Rescue operations”, said Ricardo Mendes. 

Make History With TEKEVER at Farnborough 2012

The TEKEVER Group invites you to visit its booth C6 in Hall 2 at the Farnborough Air Show, from July 9th to 15th, in the United Kingdom. 

At Farnborough, the TEKEVER Group signals the international acknowledgment of its leadership in the offer of disruptive technologies for the Aerospace, Defence and Security markets, after winning the coordination of eight European R&D projects in the Aeronautics, Security and Space expertise domains, within the FP7 context.

At Hall 2, Booth C 6, the TEKEVER Group will present state-of-the-art technologies in Tactical Communications Systems, Command and Control Systems and Autonomous Systems, entirely developed in Portugal.  

This Farnborough edition will also be a mark in the History of the TEKEVER Group, and Portugal, when, for the first time, an unmanned aircraft will perform daily flying exhibitions, between July 9th and 13th (http://www.farnborough.com/trade-aircraft/trade-flying-display-aircraft).

TEKEVER's AR4 Light Ray will be the first fully autonomous UAS to be exhibited in an international Air Show, setting a world premier and an accomplishment that will surely be remembered in the world's aeronautical market for years to come, reinforcing the Portuguese technology's positioning in the global worldwide Aerospace market.

Best Paper Award for TEKEVER at ICCRTS 2012

TEKEVER received the Best Paper Award of the 17th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (ICCRTS) that was held from June 19th to 21st in Fairfax, USA.

TEKEVER’s paper describes “The Role of Social Media in Crisis: A European Holistic Approach to the Adoption of Online and Mobile Communications in Crisis Response and Search and Rescue Efforts” aiming to discuss how citizens and first responders may use mobile and internet technologies to establish an interactive and fruitful dialogue during crises response efforts.

TEKEVER’s scientific paper was selected of a universe of more than 100 articles, presented by researchers, investigators and professionals do command and control from all over the World.

With the 2012 edition dedicated to “Operationalizing C2 Agility”, ICCRTS is the most iconic symposium in the command and control world, hosted by the DoD Command and Control Research Program (CCRP), within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

To read the ICCRTS 2012 Best Paper, please see http://dodccrp.org/events/17th_iccrts_2012/post_conference/html/best_papers.html 

President Cavaco Silva Signs TEKEVER’s new UAV for Maritime Operations

The TEKEVER Group presented the new Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle for Maritime Operations in this year’s edition of the Sea Forum, visited by the President of the Portuguese Republic Cavaco Silva that kindly agreed to sign the aircraft, which aims to establish a new era for the missions of the Portuguese Navy.

Specifically designed for maritime surveillance operations, the new UAV reveals advanced capabilities in detection, localisation and tracking of elements of interest, producing high-resolution imagery and video. This potential, allied to the possibility to pursue maritime operations under adverse meteorological conditions, is a differentiating element to the importance of autonomous aerial vehicles in the domains of maritime traffic control, coastal surveillance, fishing activity inspection, illegal activities’ detection, piracy combat and search and rescue operations.

In the context of the Sea Forum 2012, the TEKEVER Group presented its portfolio of maritime safety and security solutions that is the result of intense research and development efforts, involving specialised know-how and promising technologies in the areas of autonomous aerial vehicles, future generation communications systems and network-enabled command and control systems.

 

TEKEVER Takes A Leading Role in European Aeronautics R&D

The TEKEVER Group has been awarded two European Aeronautics R&D projects, coordinated by the Group’s subsidiary companies, in the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), in the value of 5 millions and a half euros, reinforcing its leading position as a provider of disruptive technologies for the Information Technologies, Aeronautics, Space, Defence and Security markets. 

In a sector strongly marked by fierce competition of international manufacturers and integrators, the TEKEVER Group invests in technological innovation as the strategy to conquer the international market, developing technologies and products that defy status quo and enable high added value. The two projects now awarded are focused in aerostructures and flight management systems (FMS), introducing new concepts and high potential approaches. 

The CHANGE project explores innovative concepts for adaptive aerostructures, incorporating new composite materials and intelligent materials, with the goal to significantly improve aircraft performance. Project BRAINFLIGHT, which results from the Group’s wide experience with autonomous systems, introduces an unforeseen approach to aircraft control. This new technology allows the shift of the navigation and control paradigm and it is applicable to both manned and unmanned aircraft, in the commercial, military and private contexts, giving way to multiple opportunities of commercial exploitation in the FMS, Flight Control Systems and cockpits international markets.

The two projects’ award, based on their high technological innovation levels, is evidence of the TEKEVER Group’s international recognition in the Aeronautics domain. It also bears a relevant mark for the Portuguese participation in European programmes, doubling the number of projects coordinated by Portuguese entities, and highlighting the TEKEVER Group as the Portuguese entity coordinating the highest number of projects in European Aeronautics R&D.

The results today attained by the TEKEVER Group enable the consolidation of its national leading position in the Research, Development and Innovation for the Aeronautics specialised sector, a market in full growth, and in which Portugal is committing a strategic investment with the creation of a technological cluster of international projection. 

TEKEVER is the Portuguese Reference in European Security R&D

The TEKEVER Group has been awarded three European Security R&D projects, in the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), in the value of 13 million euros, reinforcing thus its leading position as a provider of disruptive technologies for the Information Technologies, Aeronautics, Space, Defence and Security markets. 

Evaluated as the second Best European project in the Security call, iSAR+ (Online and Mobile Communications for Crisis Response and Search and Rescue) aims to research and develop guidelines and an associated platform that, in crises, enable citizens to use the mobile and internet technologies to become actively involved in the response effort. The SNIFFER (SeNsory devIces network For Food supply chain sEcuRity) Project proposes the concept and development of a distributed sensors network, capable of detecting multiple types of agents and CBR agents in the food supply chain. Finally, the PPDR-TC (Public Protection and Disaster Relief – Transformation Center) goal is to define a roadmap for the adoption of novel emergency communications, using cognitive radio, hybrid networks and UAV technology, ensuring interoperability, security and resilience.

These projects now won by the TEKEVER Group are instrumental in the national entrepreneurship effort that has been consolidating Portugal’s reputation in the European and international R&D community.

For the first time, a Portuguese Group undertakes the coordination of two FP7 – Security projects, an achievement that highlights TEKEVER’s leadership capability and reinforces its unsurpassable reference status in R&D and Innovation for the competitive Security market.

TEKEVER's MEP Project with News Highlight

TEKEVER Aerospace, Defence and Security featured the Portuguese News, with its Project Portable Energy Modules for the Dismounted Soldier (MEP).

TEKEVER ASDS's MEP Project was presented to the Portuguese Defence Minister, during a seminar on Defence Technologies, held yesterday at the facilities of INEGI, also a partner of the MEP Project.

MEP aims at providing the dismounted soldier with more power and increased autonomy while reducing weight, through the use of novel energy generation, harvesting and management technologies.

To view the news report, please go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvhRlxmC-Rc.

TEKEVER Communication Systems WAC Stars in the MEP Project

TEKEVER presented its Project Portable Energy Modules for the Dismounted Soldier (MEP) at the INEGI’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.

An ongoing development, the MEP Project envisages the creation of two portable energy modules, rechargeable with the soldier’s movement, and a module dedicated to the energy storage and management. Developed by TEKEVER Communication Systems, this component is part of the wireless tactical communication system (WAC), which also provides audio and video signals and positioning data. In a consortium with INEGI, Alma Design and the Infantry Practical School, TEKEVER also undertakes the responsibility for the integration activities involving the prototypes.

Already being field-tested by the Portuguese Army, this equipment will enable the Portuguese Armed Forces to have one of the most innovative technological solutions in Europe for the soldier’s autonomy and energy management problem. 

TEKEVER Communication Systems at the RISE Final Conference

TEKEVER Communication Systems was invited to participate at the Final Roundtable of the conference signing the end of Project RISE, dedicated to the responsible research and innovation in biometrics.

TEKEVER Communication Systems contribution focused on the potential benefits (enhanced situational awareness in crises) and drawbacks (limitation to people’s rights) of many security and surveillance technologies, including the software systems used for victims’ tracking and location during emergencies, but also to monitor online content, often in a clearly invasive form. In this respect, TEKEVER Communication Systems is developing innovative research that will contribute to the delicate balance that is still to be reached.

Held at Brussels and hosted by the Centre for Science, Society and Citizenship, RISE’s final conference was attended by experts from twenty-two countries, representing industry, academia, policy makers, data protection authorities and independent think tanks.