The Portuguese group TEKEVER, a leading European supplier of autonomous systems driven by Artificial Intelligence, announced on September 1 the acquisition of Flowcopter, a British engineering company based in Edinburgh. Flowcopter is responsible for an innovative hydraulic transmission technology for aerospace propulsion, which allows unmanned aerial systems to transport heavier loads over longer distances than conventional platforms.
The acquisition represents a significant step in Tekever's expansion in the United Kingdom and in its strategy to strengthen its portfolio of advanced autonomous systems. The company now has more than 300 employees in the United Kingdom, with offices, factories and testing facilities in London, Bristol, Southampton, West Wales, Lydd and Swindon. This operation is part of the "Overmatch" investment program, worth 400 million pounds sterling, which aims to expand sovereign autonomy capabilities in the United Kingdom.
The two companies had already established a strong collaborative relationship in developing Tekever's AR6 systems family. The first platform in this family, presented at the Farnborough Airshow in July, incorporates Flowcopter's hydraulic transmission technology, offering the capacity to transport at least 200 kg over more than 500 km. The combination of Tekever's autonomous intelligence and operational experience with Flowcopter's propulsion technologies aims to accelerate the development of long-endurance aerial platforms for applications such as advanced logistics, casualty evacuation, offshore operations, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
Tekever's CEO, Ricardo Mendes, stated that Flowcopter has built an exceptional reputation for engineering innovation, developing truly differentiated technology that addresses demanding challenges in unmanned aviation. The acquisition will maintain Flowcopter's presence in Edinburgh under the Tekever brand, supporting the continued development of advanced propulsion and heavy-lift systems for next-generation aircraft.
