TEKEVER participates in anti-terrorist “bomb factory” project

. TEKEVER joins European consortium to fight terrorism

. First simulation is done this week in Stockholm

TEKEVER takes fundamental role in a four-year project to develop a state of the art sensor network capable of detecting hidden explosives devices in air and water. The sensors will detect chemical traces of explosive in order to provide early warning to security services and protect vulnerable urban populations from the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), often used by terrorist organizations. After 3 years of intense development, this ground breaking system had its first full scale field test during a simulation last week in Stockholm.

The EU-funded project, Bomb Factory Detection by Networks of Advanced Sensors (BONAS), was brought about in response to the London bombings in 2005. It’s a €4 million project that brings together 14 teams from 9 countries in a four-year project.

“TEKEVER leads a key part of this project. We take the role of system integrators and are responsible for collecting sensor data in real time, fusing all the information to learn if indeed we’re detecting the presence of explosives, and ultimately sounding the alarm when the system detects a threat. At the same time, we keep the user informed and in complete control of the system through an advanced set of user-friendly interfaces. We’re responsible for pushing the alarm button and saying: Yes, we must act”, said Ricardo Mendes, TEKEVER COO.

The consortium, led by the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, involves TEKEVER and a number of other European research centres and companies. The team comprises organizations from the entire value chain, from basic research to field deployment, assuring that the system not only involves the latest in detection and communication technologies, but is also built to the standards and requirements of public safety and security forces.

The concept behind BONAS is to build up a sensor network that will help to geo-locate the vicinity of a “bomb factory” by detecting traces of chemicals used in explosives production. The different sensors, deployed in sensitive locations and camouflaged, will focus on detecting particles, gases and other products that can be bought without specific authorizations and used for homemade explosive devices in the air and water.

Unmanned aircraft used by the Portuguese Police featured in UK

. AR1 Light Ray, conceived by the Portuguese technological TEKEVER Group and at the service of the Public Security Police (PSP) since 2013, was featured in UAS 2014, Europe's largest event on unmanned technology (UK) 

. AR1 Light Ray was used by PSP during the Champions League Final, which took place in Lisbon in May 

The unmanned aerial system AR1 Light Ray, conceived by the Portuguese technological TEKEVER Group and at the service of the portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) since 2013, was introduced in the UK as a successful case of use of mini-UAS technology (Unmanned Aerial System) in security operations. 

This 100% Portuguese technology, already used in critical moments like the final of the UEFA Champions League in Lisbon, was featured in UAS 2014, Europe's largest event on unmanned technology, held in the UK in the days 9 and 10 September. 

"In the opinion of PSP, the advantages of this technology undergo a better understanding, monitoring and study of the crowds. This technology gains great importance in complex police operations and surveillance of major events such as summits, high risk sports events, management of traffic flows or visits of high-level entities", said Rui Coelho de Moura, Head of Office of Research and Planning of PSP, who had the presentation of the project during the event. "One of the recent examples of the use of this equipment took place in the final of the UEFA Champions League, which took place in Lisbon in May," he added. 

"We are enthusiastic of the use of unmanned technology at the service of people with goals as diverse as nature conservation, humanitarian aid or transmission of greater security to the communities," explained Ricardo Mendes, administrator of TEKEVER, "a partnership with PSP allowed the development of equipment capable of competing at the highest level in the international security market and enabled this security force of an asset capable of promoting a true aerial surveillance. "

Remember that TEKEVER Group and PSP established a technology partnership in 2013 for the development of autonomous aerial and ground systems, which unites scientific and technological knowledge of TEKEVER and the operating experience of PSP. 

The AR1 Light Ray, currently used by the portuguese security force, is equipped with high definition cameras and instruments for remote viewing, featuring autonomous flight of two hours, a range exceeding 10 kilometers and high-tech communications. The device is remotely piloted, weighs about five kilograms, and has a magnitude of 1.8 meters and is manually released, landing with the aid of a parachute.

TEKEVER Group presents its new AR5 Life Ray Evolution

Looks awesome, doesn't it?

The TEKEVER Group launched a new Medium Endurance, Medium Altitude RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial System) designed primarily for maritime operations. The gobal debut was at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA), UK, last July. The Portuguese Minister of Defence, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, who visited FIA, was present at the successful presentation of the AR5 Life Ray Evolution, a system that incorporates 100% portuguese technology.

“The AR5 Evolution is one of our largest platforms, with a wingspan of 4.3 meters and a payload capacity of up to 50 kilograms in  8 to 12 hour missions. Being SATCOM enabled, the system is designed to cover wide areas and support multiple types of missions, including search and rescue, surveillance operations, maritime patrol and pollution detection”, said Ricardo Mendes, COO of TEKEVER Group.

“We are proud of our current deployed and operational capability and AR5 Evolution represents the next step forward”, he adds.

The new AR5 Life Ray Evolution is ready to be marketed, and TEKEVER is currently working with partners and users to initiate operations in 2015.

The Portuguese Minister of Defence, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, was present at the successful presentation of the AR5 Life Ray Evolution

TEKEVER and Santos Lab announce global strategic partnership

TEKEVER and Santos Lab, the leading Brazilian UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) manufacturer, are announcing a global strategic partnership. Both partners will join their capabilities to integrate technology, offer new products and join commercial efforts at a global level, with particular focus on the South American markets.

The AR2 Carcará is the first product to be jointly launched from this groundbreaking partnership and maked its debut at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The AR2 Carcará includes a water-proof airframe designed and produced by Santos Lab, specifically aimed at maritime and amphibious operations. The UAS is fitted with advanced onboard, communication and ground systems provided byTEKEVER, allowing the system to be fully interoperable with all other TEKEVER UAS products, and providing a new range of operational capabilities.

“We’ve teamed up to offer great products, built upon both our capabilities and technology, at a global scale. Santos Lab has a record of coming up with impressive new product designs, and bringing them to the market successfully“, said Ricardo Mendes, COO of TEKEVER Group.

“With this partnership, we are creating a true win-win relation. By being fitted with TEKEVER’s groundbreaking onboard, communication and ground systems, our products can get additional flexibility, versatility and reliability”, declared Gabriel Klabin, CEO of Santos Labs.

TEKEVER in Futuro Hoje - SIC Notícias

After a year filled with numerous successful demonstrations throughout the World, TEKEVER's unmanned aerial systems are presented to the Portuguese public in the last edition of Futuro Hoje, in the TV station SIC Notícias.

Dedicated to the new technologies and to a vision of the future of today's society, Futuro Hoje and its host Lourenço Medeiros reveal how TEKEVER's unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are being tested with the National Safety Police (PSP) and take the spotlight as a fundamental tactical support asset for public safety and security operations. The images collected by the UAS AR1 Blue Ray that are now broadcasted in this programme show a monitoring operation in the area of Parque das Nações (Lisbon) and it is quite easy to understand the added-value the AR1 Blue Ray brings to law enforcement action, through the gathering of real time images, the capacity to enable remote analysis and the empowerment of an improved situational awareness with respect to available tactical options. 

Exploring the application of 100% Portuguese technology at the service of Public Safety and Security in Portugal, the TV programme Futuro Hoje highlights how TEKEVER's unmanned aerial systems already deliver advantages to the PSP daily operations, for the benefit of the citizens' safety and security. 

You may watch the AR1 Blue Ray at Futuro Hoje, in

http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/programas/futurohoje/2013/07/09/aparelhos-nao-tripulados-permitem-sobrevoar-zonas-comandados-a-distancia. 

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 and National Safety Police – A Technological Partnership at the Service of Security

The TEKEVER Group and the National Safety Police established a technological partnership that combines TEKEVER's autonomous air and land unmanned systems with the Police's high degree of

knowledge and expertise in security operations. This collaboration has enabled to complement the current capacities of the Portuguese Security Forces with an active that is able to promote true airborne superiority.

"The work developed in close cooperation with the Police has made really clear for TEKEVER that our systems are instrumental for the integration of the most advanced information and reconnaissance capabilities in security operations", explains Ricardo Mendes, TEKEVER's Chief Operations Officer. 

"The union of TEKEVER's technology, 100% Portuguese, and the Police's know-how, namely that of the Police's Special Unit, has been consolidating the reinforcement of the national response to the increasing demands of national security missions, including surveillance and monitoring of large areas, urban environments, large events and crowds, enabling a better awareness and understanding of available tactical options for complex law enforcement operations.", says the Sub-Commissioner João Moura.

Capable of providing a real-time high-definition image, the AR1 Blue Ray UAS presents electro-optic and infrared sensors that ensure a large operational coverage of day and night environments. "The great advantages of the AR1 Blue Ray UAS come from its capacity to film and display in real time what is unfolding on the terrain, in full HD and with a panoply of cameras that are easily attached to the aircraft. The recording also enables a posteriori detailed approach for a better public safety service, contributing to the overall improvement of the Police's options in the field, acting in execution but also in prevention. And the fact that the AR1 Blue Ray operators are always safe is extremely important. Also the sentiment of security generated by this drone in each citizen is a major benefit that the Police certainly take into account. Therefore, we do see the AR1 Blue Ray UAS as a true manifestation of the technology at the service of the citizen, enriching the Police's set of useful analysis tools and, considering current security challenges, becoming increasingly more indispensable.", highlights the Sub-Commissioner João Moura.

Indeed "TEKEVER has been training several agents to operate with the AR1 Blue Ray UAS, in order to support the National Safety Police and place the Portuguese technology at the Service of Portuguese citizens' safety and security." concluded Ricardo Mendes.