It is an historic achievement for the Czech manufacturer, Primoco UAV, as it is the first drone operator and manufacturer to secure both NATO military certification and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) civil authorization for its One 150 unmanned aircraft. The dual certification, announced on 17MAR25, follows a rigorous five-year process involving over 170 test flights, 50 ground tests, and 200 technical verifications, positioning the company as a global leader in medium-sized UAV innovation. The One 150 is now the only UAV in its 150 kg class certified under NATO’s STANAG 4703 standard, enabling immediate deployment across member states without country-specific approvals. This certification ensures compliance with stringent airworthiness requirements for shared airspace operations with manned military aircraft, streamlining defense and security missions. With the EASA Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) at SAIL III level, Primoco is also authorized to perform urban operations in areas with up to 5,000 people per square kilometer – a figure that surpasses its homebase, Prague’s density of 2,800. This certification supports critical civilian roles, including emergency response during blackouts or natural disasters, and cost-effective calibration of airport navigation systems. The One 150 boasts a 15-hour flight endurance, 30 kg payload capacity, and automated takeoff/landing features. Its dual certification unlocks military reconnaissance, surveillance, and civilian applications like infrastructure monitoring, with a focus on operational safety and cost efficiency compared to manned alternatives.
Ladislav Semetkovský, Founder and CEO of Primoco UAV, said: “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. 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. 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.”
