Czech UAV manufacturer Primoco UAV has moved significantly closer to completing certification under the internationally applicable NATO STANAG 4703 standard. A series of tests at the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering of the Czech Technical University were successfully completed, proving the mechanical parameters of the aircraft and its structural operational safety. This is a world first for an unmanned machine. So far, only manned aircraft have been subjected to full-scale testing.
“Although the airframe of the One 150M has undergone only a few minor modifications compared to the original design, tests have shown that it achieves even greater durability compared to manned aviation designs,”
says Ladislav Semetkovský, CEO of Primoco UAV.
Structural tests are one of the most important areas of aircraft type certification, consisting of hundreds of different tests. Similarly important was the engine performance testing that the One 150M successfully underwent at the end of last year.
“From the very first plans and prototypes we have approached the development of our own Czech UAVs responsibly, professionally and with the vision to be among the best. This philosophy is now reflected favourably in the success of our extensive certification tests. With the majority of the certification process completed we expect to receive our type certificate by the end of 2024,”
adds Semetkovský.
Certification according to STANAG 4703 when completed will be evidenced by the issue of a type certificate. This will allow the aircraft to be exported to any NATO member country without the need to conduct type tests for each market separately. Primoco UAV will thus be the first manufacturer in the world to provide customers in the unmanned segment with the level of certification they have been accustomed to in the purchase of manned aircraft. It will further strengthen its position among the leading global suppliers of medium category UAVs with a take-off weight of up to 150 kilograms.
