United States Special Operations Command has bought uncrewed aircraft from Tekever after a programme of validation and acceptance testing backed by training and an extensive flight programme at several locations, according to the company.
Ricardo Mendes, chief executive of Tekever, said: “This procurement represents an important milestone in a relationship that has been built over time through rigorous testing, open dialogue and a clear focus on delivering effective capability. We greatly value the professionalism and engagement of the USSOCOM personnel with whom we have worked, and look forward to continuing to support their evolving requirements.”
The number, model and configuration of the aircraft are not being disclosed. Tekever described the system as highly deployable and designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in demanding environments, with a modular architecture bringing together the air platform, mission payloads, communications and mission software.
Tekever has an established presence in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the announcement was made and which sits next to Fort Bragg, the home of United States Army special operations. The company said the purchase is a further step in its commitment to the United States and its special operations community.
The Portuguese company is familiar to British readers through its AR5 maritime surveillance aircraft, which has flown over the English Channel under Home Office contracts since 2020. It has also supplied uncrewed aircraft to Ukraine and employs more than fifteen hundred people across Portugal, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Estonia and Ukraine.
