Solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Systems solve security tasks

On occasion of the trade show Intersolar Europe, IABG - a leading European technology enterprise - and ACENTISS, the aircraft engineering company of the IABG group, have concluded an exclusive cooperation agreement with PC-Aero GmbH, the German electric aircraft developer and producer.

The partners plan to jointly develop, produce and market electric-powered Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Based on PC-Aero’s electric aircraft family ELEKTRA - ELEKTRA ONE successfully completed its maiden flight on 23 March 2011 - electric-powered, unmanned systems will be used for security tasks such as reconnaissance, damage appraisal and as relay stations for control centres.

Compared to drones with conventional propulsion systems, electro-UAS are equipped with energy sources such as solar and fuel cells, as well as with innovative energy storage systems and provide clear technical, commercial and operational advantages for peace and security missions. In addition to a higher reliability and lower maintenance costs, electric motors have an outstanding efficiency and their power does not depend on flight altitude. Equipped with regenerative energy producers they are independent of fuel logistics in the area of operation and are able to remain airborne much longer than their conventional counterparts. Some missions will become possible in the first place due to the deployment of these vibration-free and virtually noiseless systems.

This cooperation is yet another step in the IABG group’s orientation towards the future, focusing on integrated solutions from the areas of energy, environment, mobility and security.

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*UAS: Unmanned Aerial Systems (air vehicle, sensors/payloads, command and control datalinks, operator station)