Portuguese defense technology firm TEKEVER has unveiled the AR3 EVO—an upgraded version of its combat-proven AR3 unmanned aerial system (UAS)—designed for shipborne operations and enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The new platform builds on lessons learned from operational deployments in Europe and Africa and is tailored for NATO-aligned maritime forces seeking compact yet capable UAV solutions.
AR3 EVO Overview: Modular Design for Maritime ISR
The TEKEVER AR3 EVO is a Group 2-class fixed-wing UAS optimized for naval ISR missions. It features a catapult-launched airframe with a modular payload bay and folding wings to facilitate compact storage aboard vessels. The system is designed to operate from small ships without the need for runways or large deck space—a critical factor for navies deploying UAS from offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), corvettes, or auxiliary ships.
Key specifications of the AR3 EVO include:
- Endurance: Up to 16 hours
- Range: Over 100 km line-of-sight (LOS), with potential SATCOM integration in future variants
- Launch/Recovery: Pneumatic catapult launch; parachute or net recovery
- Wingspan: ~4.5 meters (foldable)
- MTOW: Approximately 45 kg
The system supports multiple payload configurations thanks to its modular architecture. Standard loadouts include electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) gimbals for day/night surveillance. Optional modules can integrate synthetic aperture radar (SAR), AIS receivers for vessel tracking, SIGINT packages, or communications relay nodes.
Battlespace Provenance and Operational Heritage
The original TEKEVER AR3 has seen deployment across several theaters including European border security operations under Frontex missions and African maritime patrols. According to TEKEVER CEO Ricardo Mendes, these real-world deployments directly informed the design enhancements found in the EVO variant.
“The AR3 EVO is not just an incremental upgrade—it’s a response to direct operational feedback from users conducting surveillance over hostile waters,” said Mendes during the system’s unveiling at an industry event in Lisbon. “We’ve improved endurance, simplified logistics support aboard ships, and added plug-and-play flexibility.”
The “battle-proven” label stems primarily from sustained use by Portuguese Navy units as well as other undisclosed European users engaged in counter-smuggling and anti-piracy operations. While specific mission data remains classified, open-source imagery confirms that legacy AR3 systems have flown from both land-based sites and naval platforms since at least 2019.
NATO Interoperability and C4ISR Integration
A key focus of the AR3 EVO program is seamless integration into NATO-standard command-and-control networks. The system supports STANAG-compliant data links—including encrypted telemetry—and can interface with existing C4ISR architectures used by European navies.
This includes compatibility with Link-16 gateways via ground control station uplinks or through external relay nodes when operating in contested environments. The onboard mission computer supports real-time video streaming over IP networks using secure protocols like H.264/H.265 encoding.
The ground control station (GCS) has also been redesigned to be more compact and ruggedized for shipboard use—featuring dual-screen displays optimized for EO/IR exploitation alongside mission planning software that enables dynamic re-tasking mid-flight.
Simplified Logistics and Shipboard Handling Features
The folding-wing design significantly reduces hangar footprint requirements—a major advantage aboard OPVs or fast attack craft where space is at a premium. The entire launch/recovery kit fits into standard ISO containers or onboard lockers.
This logistical efficiency extends to maintenance as well; TEKEVER claims that field-level servicing requires minimal tools and can be conducted by two operators within minutes using pre-packaged line-replaceable units (LRUs). Battery swap-out cycles are optimized around typical sortie durations—allowing near-continuous coverage when operating multiple airframes in rotation.
Strategic Context: EU Border Security & Indo-Pacific Interest
The release of the AR3 EVO comes amid growing interest in distributed maritime ISR capabilities among NATO members facing hybrid threats at sea—from illegal fishing to gray-zone incursions by state-backed actors. EU border agencies such as Frontex have already expanded their use of UAS platforms like TEKEVER’s within Operation THEMIS (central Mediterranean) and Operation INDALO (western Mediterranean).
Beyond Europe, sources indicate that Indo-Pacific navies—including those of Malaysia and Indonesia—have expressed interest in compact shipborne UAS solutions compatible with existing patrol boat fleets lacking aviation facilities. While no export contracts have been confirmed publicly as of Q2 2025, TEKEVER’s participation at events like LIMA’25 signals active marketing efforts outside Europe.
Future Roadmap: AI Enhancements & Multi-Domain Ops
Mendes hinted at future upgrades involving onboard AI processing for target classification using machine vision algorithms trained on maritime object libraries—a feature aimed at reducing operator workload during long-endurance sorties over cluttered sea lanes.
A multi-domain roadmap is also under development that would allow cross-cueing between airborne assets like the larger TEKEVER AR5 platform or satellite feeds via integrated mission management software. This would enable layered surveillance architectures combining tactical UAS coverage with strategic overhead ISR inputs—a capability increasingly sought after by joint force commanders managing dispersed littoral zones.
Conclusion
The TEKEVER AR3 EVO represents a significant evolution of an already fielded platform—offering enhanced endurance, modularity, interoperability, and shipboard deployability tailored to modern naval ISR needs. As maritime security challenges intensify across both European waters and Indo-Pacific chokepoints, compact Group 2-class UAVs like the AR3 EVO are poised to become indispensable tools in distributed sensor networks afloat.
