A Welsh tech company, BBCA, has developed drones for surveillance and intelligence gathering in Ukraine. After creating 30 jobs in mid Wales, the company plans to expand further and generate 200 jobs in the UK over the next three years. The company’s AR3 drone, which can fly for up to 16 hours, is built and tested at Parc Aberporth near Cardigan. The drone has been featured in a Ministry of Defence announcement and is being used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in Ukraine.
The AR3 drone can operate over land and sea at speeds of about 45mph. It can be launched from the ground by a catapult or vertically with rotors. It lands using a parachute and protective airbag. The company, Tekever, would not comment on whether the drones being built at Aberporth were being used by the Ukrainian army, but they did confirm that their drones were deployed in Ukraine for various missions.
The construction of the AR3 drone requires precision engineering, as every component must be a specific weight. Parc Aberporth, a restricted air space, was created in 2006 as a test and evaluation centre for unmanned aerial vehicles. This means that drones can operate and fly without special permission. The British Army‘s Watchkeeper drone has also been tested in the area.
Tekever has mainly hired people from the local area, including those with backgrounds in retail, pet food packing, and local garages. They have also provided training and education opportunities for their employees, with some even being sent to Portugal for training. The company has had a positive impact on the local community, bringing in business and creating opportunities for employment.
Morgan Brandy-Phillips, an apprentice from Aberaeron, shared his experience of being hired by Tekever after finishing his A-levels. He mentioned that his father was working on the car park where the company is located, highlighting the positive impact the company has had on the local community. Tekever is a highly skilled and high-tech company that values and invests in its employees, providing them with opportunities for growth and development.
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