Finnish company Robonic Ltd Oy is the premier UAV launcher manufacturer in Europe. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sagem (a company of the Safran Group), it has a track record in pneumatic UAV launching technology which spans more than three decades. Based in Tampere in Southern Finland, the company also operates a dedicated cold climate UAV test flight centre at Kemijarvi, in Finnish Lapland.
Robonic provides a complete launch product solution for UAV types from 10 to 500 kg, with its top end systems capable of generating a maximum power output of 8,500 kW. The systems are operationally proven, deployed by multiple customers in a wide range of environments around the world and used in conjunction with propeller and turbine engine UAVs, and with high performance target drones.
Robonic has cooperation arrangements in place with a variety of UAV manufacturers and systems providers for current and future programs to ensure availability of highly capable launch solutions that meet all customer defined specifications.
The company provides services from initial design to product development, from product delivery to training life cycle support. It approaches all projects as a co-development opportunity, ensuring that the launcher architecture is an integral part of the overall system and fully meets all performance requirements associated with UAV take-off speed, aircraft weight variations, acceleration targets, and planned growth margins.
Robonic’s development methodology begins with the simulation of launcher performance requirements to guide the optimisation of existing launcher designs or development of new hardware, with this process in a close partnership with the customer. Subsequent system testing includes a jointly developed weight, speed, pressurisation, reload and handling trials program to confirm launch parameters and overall system integration.
Operator requirements are a key element of the design, development and delivery aspects of all launcher projects. Robonic has developed a highly optimised human-machine interface for its full launcher range with this intended to ensure safe and reliable operation in all environmental types, ranging from deep Arctic snows to windswept equatorial deserts. On delivery Robonic provides a detailed operator training course incorporating both theoretical and practical aspects of pneumatic launcher operations which also supports the customer’s own acceptance and qualification trials processes. Robonic systems are designed to provide high reliability with low maintenance requirements. Through life support planning for the full pneumatic launcher range incorporates regular standardised checking and overhaul cycles. If required Robonic offers deployable field support to its customers.
Robonic’s record of achievement includes launching the Sagem Defence Systems Sperwer- A and B as well and Elbit's Hermes 450 using its third generation hardware.
The Finnish Defence Forces have used Robonic launchers in support of tactical operations with its Ranger UAV since 2000 with this following stringent acceptance testing above the Arctic Circle. Robonic systems ability to support high performance targets was verified in February 2001 with the launch of a Flight Refuelling Ltd Falconet at the DERA test range in the Hebrides, United Kingdom, using a modified Finnish Defence Forces pneumatic target launcher. Robonic launchers are baselined or available as options for a variety of current production UAV types through a variety of business models.
The company welcomes the opportunity to discuss new generation UAV development projects from established as well as new and emerging companies in the unmanned systems sector. Robonic is continually investing in its underlying technological base with research and new product development an ongoing process central to the company’s business outlook. The growth of the global UAV industry is widely expected to provide extensive new opportunities as regulators such as EUROCAE and EASA establish an operational environment that allows for expanded airspace access and the development of civilian applications.
The Robonic UAV test flight centre (RATUFC) at Kemijarvi, Finland provides facilities for the development, test and evaluation of ground launched targets and tactical UAV’s, as well as supporting operational training. The range, located just inside the Arctic Circle some 90 km east of the town of Rovaniemi, accommodates catapult and runway launched air vehicles. The range flight envelop comprises some 11 000 km2 of air space with UAV flights conducted in segregated airspace. The main field has a 1400 m sealed runway and basic airfield infrastructure that supports year round civil and military flying operations. RATUFC offers an excellent opportunity to test whole systems in Arctic environments to ensure full functionality in a wide range of conditions including extremes of cold and dryness