Czech Manufacturer Becomes First to Secure Military and Civilian Clearance for Medium-Sized UAV
Primoco UAV Sets Industry Milestone
Primoco UAV SE, based in Prague, has achieved a major breakthrough in the drone industry. The company announced that its One 150 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is now the first in the world to receive both NATO military certification and a civilian Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The One 150, which has a maximum takeoff weight of 150 kg, is a fully autonomous UAV designed for both military and civilian use. It can fly for up to 15 hours, carry a 30 kg payload, and cruise at 120 km/h. It also features automated take-off and landing capabilities. The One 150 is the only UAV in its class to meet NATO’s STANAG 4703 standard, which removes many barriers for deployment across NATO member states. Since STANAG 4703 is a recognized standard, drones certified under it do not require separate and lengthy approval processes for each country.
“Nearly 40 engineers, designers, verification experts, and pilot-operators dedicated five years to demonstrating that our aircraft meets the most stringent requirements for operations in shared airspace with manned military aircraft and other certified UAVs,” said Ladislav Semetkovský, founder and CEO of Primoco UAV.
A Rigorous Testing Process
The certification was not easily won. Primoco’s One 150 underwent 200 separate test verifications, more than 170 flight tests, and around 50 ground-based trials.
“We compiled 28,000 pages of documentation, recorded 500 hours of video footage, and 123 GB of data. This illustrates both the challenge of obtaining this certification and the competitive advantage it provides our company,” Semetkovský added.
The company believes this achievement gives it a clear lead in the medium-size UAV sector.
Civil Certification Opens New Doors
In addition to military use, the One 150 is now certified for civilian operations under the EASA LUC at SAIL III level. This designation, awarded by the Czech Civil Aviation Authority, allows the aircraft to operate in urban environments.
With proper risk mitigation, the drone can be used over areas with population densities as high as 5,000 people per square kilometer. By comparison, Prague’s population density is about 2,800 people per square kilometer.
“This certification is the seal of approval for our high-tech level capabilities and ability to meet the highest regulatory standards. Such skills allow us to develop advanced UAV solutions for environments where most unmanned aircraft are prohibited or require complicated exemptions. It also enables us to operate in shared airspace alongside manned aircraft, offering operational versatility,” said Semetkovský.
Enabling Critical Civilian Operations
The dual certifications open the door to a range of high-value applications. With its civilian clearance, the One 150 can support emergency services, deliver mobile signal coverage during blackouts or natural disasters, and calibrate airport navigation systems in crowded areas—all at a lower cost than manned aircraft.
These new capabilities come as demand for flexible and certified UAV platforms grows across defense and civil sectors.
About Primoco UAV SE
Primoco UAV SE has been developing and manufacturing the One 150 since 2015. The company has delivered more than 200 aircraft to clients in 15 countries across four continents. It is publicly listed on the Prague Stock Exchange and focuses on UAV applications in reconnaissance, energy infrastructure monitoring, border and coastal security, and intelligence operations.
With its new certifications, Primoco UAV strengthens its position in both regulated civil airspace and NATO defense environments
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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