New capability strengthens long-range detection, classification and tracking in degraded visual conditions across maritime and overland missions.
TEKEVER, Europe’s leading provider of AI-powered unmanned aerial systems, and ARKEUS, an Australian pioneer in autonomous optical intelligence, have successfully completed a joint integration and flight test campaign, proving the full compatibility and mission-readiness of TEKEVER’s AR3 EVO tactical unmanned aerial system and ARKEUS’ Warden Hyperspectral Optical Radar (HSOR).
The demonstration confirmed the operational benefits of combining TEKEVER’s modular, shipborne-capable AR3 EVO with the cutting-edge Warden HSOR, enabling real-time detection, classification and long-range tracking across maritime, littoral and overland theatres — even in low-visibility or electromagnetically contested environments.
The AR3 EVO, TEKEVER’s most advanced tactical UAS, is a flexible multi-mission platform capable of fixed-wing or VTOL configurations, with precision launch and recovery in confined spaces and rapid deployment from land or sea. Its open, modular architecture makes it an ideal platform to seamlessly integrate next-generation payloads and AI-driven sensing systems, delivering enhanced situational awareness for operators across defence and security missions in challenging operational contexts.
This is the first time ARKEUS’ Warden HSOR sensor has flown in Europe. Designed for persistent, autonomous ISR in complex scenarios, the Warden provides material-based identification through high-resolution hyperspectral imaging. This enables operators to detect and identify objects that remain hidden, camouflaged or indistinct to traditional EO/IR sensors — significantly expanding ISR capabilities for wide-area surveillance missions, including comms- and GPS-denied operations even within degraded conditions.
“This successful integration reflects TEKEVER’s commitment to continuously evolve operational capability through strategic collaboration,” said Mark Baxter, Senior Business Development at TEKEVER. “By combining the advanced sensing power of ARKEUS’ Warden HSOR with the proven flexibility of AR3 EVO, we are delivering a new level of situational awareness to our customers, enabling them to operate effectively in the most demanding environments.”
“The combination of the Warden HSOR operating from the AR3 EVO provides customers with group 4 performance within a group 3 size, weight and power, said Simon Olsen,” CEO of Arkeus. “Through successful operational evaluations in both Australia and the US, the Warden has demonstrated unmatched range, unmatched coverage and unparalleled performance in the most challenging degraded visual environments. The Warden detects, locates and identifies contacts, before they become a threat. The speed of this integration demonstrates the critical edge this capability can provide to both civil and Defence customers in the UK and Europe, today.”
About TEKEVER
TEKEVER (www.tekever.com) is a leading pan-European technology company driving innovation in Defence & Security through AI-centric Autonomous Systems. With a fully vertically integrated model – spanning Aerospace structural engineering, design and manufacturing, propulsion systems, complex optical and RF payload development, communication systems, avionics, software, data science and artificial intelligence – TEKEVER delivers complete, end-to-end systems and services tailored to the complex demands of modern security operations. With a highly skilled and rapidly growing workforce of more than 1000, and cutting-edge facilities spread throughout the UK, Portugal, France and Ukraine, TEKEVER is the leading European provider of AI-centric Autonomy, supporting Defence and Security forces with capabilities that evolve at pace and are delivered at scale.
About ARKEUS
Arkeus accelerates decision making through the fusion of optics and autonomy.
Arkeus specializes in rapid design, innovation, manufacture and distribution of autonomous optical capabilities – designed to deliver transformative effects for Search, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SISR).
Arkeus wide area autonomous optical search and surveillance systems are optimised for aircraft or drones conducting a range of missions including ISR, border protection, city size surveillance, force protection, counter terrorism, illegal activity monitoring or search and rescue.
Arkeus optical surveillance systems operate across land, sea and space domains – specialising in extracting critical intelligence and surveillance information and disseminating that data in challenging or contested environments.