Centaurium UAS, a Switzerland-based company, has entered into a significant cooperation agreement with Thales, a global technology leader. The partnership, announced on November 22, 2023, includes the provision of two advanced Thales UAS100 drone systems and ground control stations. This collaboration is set to enhance a range of monitoring and surveillance services across Switzerland, with testing beginning in spring 2024 and commercial operations expected to launch in 2025.
The UAS100, developed by Thales, is a versatile drone system designed to meet the diverse requirements of various mission scenarios, including risk monitoring, border surveillance, and emergency response. One of the key aspects of the UAS100 is its compliance with general aviation regulations, making it a viable option for both public and private sector applications.
Centaurium UAS aims to utilize these drones to offer specialized services that cater to the unique needs of its clients. The company’s focus includes the inspection of critical infrastructure, such as high-voltage lines and transport routes, monitoring natural disasters, border surveillance, event security, and search and rescue operations. The UAS100’s energy-efficient design, which consumes 90% less energy than traditional piloted aircraft, is a significant advantage, leading to lower operating costs.
The UAS100 drone incorporates Thales's certified aerospace technology, known for its safety and security, into a light and compact UAV design. Developed in collaboration with Issoire Aviation, the UAS100 offers unmatched performance and reliability in the European UAV sector. It features a dual electric motor and internal combustion engine, ensuring resilience and endurance. The drone is equipped with a jam-resistant navigation system, redundant computer for critical missions, and a smart communication system, enabling safe autonomous flight.
The UAS100 will be available in two versions: the smaller UAS100-1, with a wingspan of 3.34 meters, and the larger UAS100-10, offering a payload capacity of 10 kg for high-performance sensors. Centaurium UAS plans to deploy these drones for a variety of applications, leveraging their advanced features to provide efficient and effective services.
The ground control station, a critical component of the operation, is set to be delivered to Centaurium UAS in November 2023, with the first UAS100-1 arriving in March 2024 for initial trials. The commencement of commercial operations by Centaurium UAS is contingent on obtaining authorization from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and is planned for 2025.
Ernest Oggier, CEO of Centaurium UAS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “With Thales, we’re delighted to have found the ideal partner so we can operate on-demand long-range commercial drone services for our customers in the near future.” Jean-Paul Ebanga, Vice President of Flight Avionics at Thales, also noted the partnership’s potential to optimize drone operations for system certification and offer cost-effective and environmentally friendly commercial services.
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