U.S. Special Forces Turn to TEKEVER Drones for Long-Endurance Surveillance From Forward Positions.

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has acquired unmanned aerial systems from Portuguese manufacturer TEKEVER to expand its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in demanding operational environments. The acquisition follows an evaluation campaign involving flight trials, validation testing, and operator training at several locations. These systems are intended to improve situational awareness for U.S. special operations forces, particularly during missions requiring persistent surveillance and rapid access to intelligence collected in the field.

The TEKEVER AR3 unmanned aerial system is designed for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, with flexible deployment options suited to tactical operations. (Picture source: Tekever)

The procurement marks a new stage in cooperation between TEKEVER and USSOCOM, developed through successive technical evaluations and exchanges with U.S. military personnel. The systems completed the required validation and acceptance procedures before their acquisition. Designed for rapid deployment, they combine aerial reconnaissance equipment with data processing software and autonomous mission management capabilities. Their modular architecture also allows onboard equipment to be adapted to operational requirements, depending on the mission and the intelligence being collected.

In a statement released on October 26, 2026, TEKEVER described the purchase as the result of several years of cooperation with U.S. special operations forces. In March 2025, the company had announced the successful completion of an operational exercise with USSOCOM at Camp Roberts, California, where its AR3 drone demonstrated its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The trials assessed the system's operation in a military environment involving electronic warfare constraints. This experience provided a basis for the manufacturer's subsequent work with U.S. forces.

Among TEKEVER's unmanned aircraft, the AR3 is designed for tactical reconnaissance missions. The fixed-wing drone has a wingspan of 3.5 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg, and a payload capacity of 4 kg. It offers up to 16 hours of endurance and a direct line-of-sight communication range of up to 100 km. The system can be launched using a catapult or operated in a vertical takeoff and landing configuration, allowing deployment from minimally prepared terrain or military vessels. It can also carry electro-optical and infrared sensors for day and night surveillance missions.

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The manufacturer has also developed the AR3 Evolution, an upgraded version incorporating lessons learned from operations in Ukraine. The aircraft offers a maximum endurance of 22 hours in its fixed-wing configuration, compared with 14 hours when configured for vertical takeoff and landing. Its payload capacity reaches 6 kg, while its communication range extends to 230 km. The modular design allows different propulsion, sensor, and launch configurations to be selected according to mission requirements. Its ability to operate from an area measuring just 5 by 5 meters also makes it suitable for units deployed in locations without established aviation infrastructure.

TEKEVER also produces the AR5, a larger unmanned aircraft intended for extended surveillance missions. With a wingspan of 7.3 meters, endurance of up to 20 hours, and a payload capacity of 50 kg, the aircraft can accommodate heavier mission equipment for land and maritime surveillance. It addresses different operational requirements from the AR3, particularly when missions involve multiple detection systems or surveillance over wider areas. These aircraft illustrate the manufacturer's range of reconnaissance solutions, covering tactical requirements and longer-duration intelligence missions.

U.S. special operations forces already operate various aerial reconnaissance systems, including MQ-9 Reaper aircraft employed by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) for persistent surveillance and strike missions. The acquisition of TEKEVER systems could complement these assets by introducing lighter aircraft suited to tactical deployments with fewer infrastructure requirements. In this context, an aircraft such as the AR3 Evolution offers several relevant characteristics, including endurance of up to 22 hours, a stated data-link range of 230 km, and a vertical takeoff capability allowing operations from confined spaces. These features could enable forward-deployed detachments to maintain their own persistent surveillance capabilities without systematically relying on the availability of MQ-9 aircraft or other aerial assets operating from more distant locations. TEKEVER's experience in environments affected by electronic interference is also relevant to USSOCOM, whose missions increasingly involve adversaries equipped with advanced detection and jamming capabilities.

The validation campaign conducted with USSOCOM also reflects the attention given to integrating these systems into U.S. military operating procedures. Trials at multiple locations allowed the participants to assess equipment performance, deployment procedures, and interactions between operators and mission software. TEKEVER states that data collected during successive flight campaigns are used to improve its aircraft and adapt their functions to military requirements. This development process allows lessons from testing and operational experience to be incorporated into subsequent system modifications.

The agreement also supports TEKEVER's expansion into the U.S. defense market. The company maintains a presence in Fayetteville, North Carolina, allowing it to engage directly with American military customers. Its industrial activities cover aeronautical engineering, manufacturing, software development, and operational support. This integrated structure facilitates technical modifications and system upgrades in response to user requirements, particularly as military reconnaissance and autonomous systems continue to evolve.

The U.S. acquisition follows a series of military contracts awarded to TEKEVER by other NATO members. In the United Kingdom, the manufacturer signed a contract in September 2026 worth up to £400 million under the CORVUS program, which will provide the British Army with AR5 drones to replace its Watchkeeper systems and expand long-range surveillance capabilities. The company is also involved in the British StormShroud program, which uses AR3 drones equipped for electronic warfare missions in support of the Royal Air Force. These programs, together with the operational experience gained by TEKEVER systems in Ukraine, reflect the manufacturer's growing role in British military capabilities. The USSOCOM procurement extends this presence into the U.S. special operations community, illustrating the increasing participation of European drone manufacturers in NATO military modernization programs.