Tekever has upgraded the maritime patrol version of its AR5 UAS (unmanned aerial system) with the ability to precision-drop eight-person life rafts that can be used to save lives and aid people in distress.
This new capability has already been fully proven during multiple search and rescue exercises over the Atlantic Ocean and will be delivered to customers under upcoming contracts in Europe and Africa. With fully automatic operation, the new onboard AR5 Lifesaver system can detect, identify and locate people on the water. It then precisely calculates the optimal drop-point and re-routes the aircraft to deploy the life-raft at a close but safe distance. The system automatically considers weather conditions and flight plan restrictions, allowing the Lifesaver to be easily used in a wide range of situations.
Ricardo Mendes, CEO of Tekever, commented: “We’ve consistently and successfully tested the AR5’s new Lifesaver capability, by deploying liferafts with very high precision in a fully automated process. This new capability, which will already be available in upcoming contracts, allows us to provide a first response in emergency situations. For the first time, and beyond detecting people in distress, we can now immediately do something to help them. This directly supports our mission of making the sea safer.”
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