Unmanned aircraft systems: Tekever acquires Flowcopter and its hydraulic propulsion

The Edinburgh-based engineering company Flowcopter now belongs to Tekever, Europe’s leading provider of AI-enabled autonomous systems. Flowcopter develops an innovative hydraulic propulsion technology for aviation: it is intended to enable unmanned aircraft systems to carry heavier payloads over greater distances than conventional platforms.

With the acquisition, Tekever aims to consolidate its leading role in AI-enabled autonomy and bring long-endurance, heavy-lift aircraft systems to maturity more quickly. Possible fields of application include forward logistics, casualty care, offshore operations, search and rescue missions and disaster relief. The technology is also intended to support advanced concepts such as manned-unmanned teaming.

Edinburgh adds to the British site network

With the investment, Tekever’s growing network of sites in the United Kingdom expands to include Edinburgh. More than 300 employees now work for the company there, spread across offices, factories and test facilities in London, Bristol, Southampton, West Wales, Lydd and Swindon.

The acquisition is part of “Overmatch”, a long-term investment programme through which Tekever intends to invest 400 million pounds in sovereign autonomy capabilities in the United Kingdom.

Unmanned aircraft systems of the AR6 family

Flowcopter and Tekever are already jointly developing the AR6 family of systems. Its first platform was on show at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. Powered by Flowcopter’s hydraulic technology, it is intended to carry a payload of at least 200 kilograms over a distance of 500 kilometres.

Future growth and further capability development are to be built on combining Tekever’s autonomous intelligence, mission systems and operational experience with Flowcopter’s propulsion technology.

What those involved say

Tekever CEO Ricardo Mendes highlights the achievements of the acquired company:

Flowcopter has earned an outstanding reputation for technical innovation and developed a truly differentiated technology that addresses some of the most demanding challenges in unmanned aviation.— Ricardo Mendes, CEO of Tekever

Having already worked closely together on the AR6 programme, we have seen first-hand the value of their expertise and the transformative potential of their hydraulic propulsion system. This acquisition brings together two highly complementary organisations united by a shared vision of exploring the limits of what autonomous systems can achieve— Ricardo Mendes

Karl Brew, Director of Tekever UK, points to rising demand:

As demand grows for autonomous systems that can fly further, carry more and offer greater mission flexibility, the combined capabilities of the technologies developed by Flowcopter and Tekever’s advanced platforms strengthen our ability to meet evolving requirements in both the government and commercial sectors.— Karl Brew, Director of Tekever UK

Speaking for Flowcopter is Managing Director Peter McCurry:

Joining Tekever marks an exciting new chapter for Flowcopter. From the outset, our mission has been to redefine the capabilities of unmanned aircraft through innovative engineering. Combining our technology with Tekever’s world-class autonomy, operational scale and international reach will enable us to accelerate development and deliver new capabilities to customers faster than ever before.— Peter McCurry, Managing Director of Flowcopter

Following the acquisition, Flowcopter remains present in Edinburgh under the Tekever brand. At the same time, advanced propulsion and heavy-lift systems for next-generation aircraft will continue to be developed there.