Primoco UAV SE and Norwegian Special Mission undertook successful test flights of the UAV-borne Navaids calibration system

The Czech producer of unmanned aerial vehicles Primoco UAV SE and Norwegian Special Mission (NSM), provider of airport calibration solutions, introduced a brand new and highly innovative NAVAID calibration system based on the Primoco One 150 UAV and NSM UNIFIS 1000 calibration system. Preliminary analysis suggests that the system is well suited for inspection, calibration and evaluation of a wide variety of airport navigation equipment such as ILS/VOR/DME/TACAN/COM as well as visual systems such as PAPI/VASI. The system is built around the UAV One 150 and UNIFIS 1000 elements, using proven receiver and antenna technology from conventional flight inspection aircraft, which is a new stage for the industry.

The UAV 150 is the latest variant introduced by the Primoco UAV SE and it is compliant with the latest EU regulation and Specific operational risk assessment (SORA) processes, which allows smooth operation worldwide. The UAV is equipped with an advanced high-performance datalink allowing real-time streaming of all measurement data including freeze-frame capability, a reliable and quiet four-stroke engine reducing the noise and disturbance concerns from the airport’s surroundings and a fully automatic flight control system allowing very precise flight path execution. The maximum take-off weight of 150 kg with 30 kg payload capacity together with 15 hours endurance and 200 km radio range are over-dimensioned for the calibration flight mission. Due to its smart quick-assembly design the UAV can be shipped and rapidly deployed anywhere. The UNIFIS 1000 is the latest development in the UNIFIS product series, assigned to use with UAV’s. The system is scaled down from the full size UNIFIS 3000 and the portable UNIFIS 2000 systems. The UNIFIS 1000 inherits the same well proven avionics, positioning and antenna systems as used in the entire UNIFIS product line. The UNIFIS system architecture is highly modular and scalable and the advanced UNIFIS software, developed according to the ED109 process, is implemented with only minor modifications to work with a UAV platform.

Both Primoco UAV SE and Norwegian Special Mission finalised the prototype design of the specific application back in 2020 with first initial flights taking place in the late summer of that year. Recently both companies performed the first real measurement flights with excellent results. Primoco UAV SE CEO Ladislav Semetkovsky commented on the achievement as follows: “The fact the UAV One 150 can carry the very same calibration and measurement equipment as manned platforms means we can provide customers with the identical output they are used to receiving from manned planes. This is a true game-changer as existing calibration UAVs normally use miniaturized hardware, which may not fully represent the real planes transceivers. Our solution is not mimicking anything, it provides fully ICAO-compliant results. We were amazed by the NSM skillset, excellent team support and unique all-in-one capabilities with an advanced and efficient evaluation software and man-machine interface. I cannot imagine a better partner for such project.”

The NSM CEO Tom Sverstad emphasized: “Our common project is a breakthrough providing a commercial drone-based calibration system able to provide the standardized reports our customers need. With this solution we see a commercially viable solution able to complement and operate in combination with traditional manned aircraft for flight Inspection. Together with Primoco we are already in contact with several potential customers and see a huge interest in the technology. It is just natural to confirm our leading role in navaid calibration with a step into the unmanned area.”.  

About Primoco UAV SE

The Czech company Primoco UAV develops and produces the One 150 civilian and military unmanned aircraft, capable of flying completely independently according to programmed flight plans.  The key features of the aircraft are its size, maximum take-off weight 150 kg, 15 hours endurance, 2,000 km range, cruising speed 100-150 km/h, payload 30 kg and fully automatic take-off and landing.  The company focuses on civilian & military applications for the aircraft especially in energy, border and coastal security, fire monitoring and search and rescue operations. The company’s aircraft are in operation on three continents.  Primoco UAV is a publicly traded company on the Prague Stock Exchange in the PX START market. For more information, visit http://www.primocouav.com.

About NSM

Norwegian Special Mission AS (NSM) is based on a solid foundation of experienced management and aviation professionals. It is a private limited company with 100% Norwegian owners, with Sundt AS as the main investor, devoted to a long term and stable operation. It is built  on a long Norwegian tradition of participating actively in the aviation sector to develop advanced, reliable and cost efficient special airborne mission solutions for Flight Inspection and Airborne Surveillance. For more information, visit http://www.nsm.aero.

OUR VIDEOS

Primoco UAV Official Video 2023
Time: 13:05
Pre-flight Procedures Primoco UAV
Time: 8:26
SAR IMSAR NSP-7
Time: 5:12
Emergency parachute landing system
Time: 2:02
Flight Inspection ILS/VOR/NDB
Time: 4:54
Multiple Operation
Time: 1:14
EO/MWIR Epsilon 180
Time: 2:30
Factory Airport
Time: 1:42