The second part of the morning program at Dronedge 2025 shifted the focus from future visions to deployable solutions available today. The spotlight was on technologies that safeguard critical infrastructure, combat and dual-use unmanned systems, and mobile platforms enabling rapid deployment of these technologies directly into the field. The discussions underlined that technological readiness is no longer the issue — the real challenge lies in accelerating acquisition, integration, and operational rollout.
Opening the session, Jaroslav Řešátko of Telink addressed one of the major bottlenecks in current security frameworks: while technologies and operational requirements evolve at high speed, acquisition processes within state institutions remain slow, delaying the real-world application of critical innovations. Telink presented its strategy as a systems integrator — bringing together radars, EO/IR cameras, acoustic sensors, and resilient communication links into a unified, modular C2 environment ready for live deployment.
New CEO Radek Hodač emphasized that the company is strengthening its expertise to serve as a trusted partner for airports, energy providers, and border management authorities. Beyond technology integration, Telink stressed the importance of practical deployment: its solutions are designed for 24/7 monitoring, rapid setup, and remote updates. The company is also advocating for “buy & trial” acquisition models that allow technologies to be tested directly in the field before broad adoption. The clear message: protecting critical infrastructure requires not isolated radars or cameras, but modular, quickly configurable systems capable of responding to local threats in real time.
Excalibur International, represented by Kateřina Fišerová, demonstrated how loitering munitions and FPV platforms are rapidly professionalizing. The presentation distinguished short-range and long-range systems: lightweight, short-range loitering munitions provide simple operation and quick battlefield deployment, while larger, long-range variants offer extended endurance, increased payload capacity, and precision strike capabilities at ranges of tens of kilometers. Excalibur highlighted that all its platforms are European-made, combat-proven, and actively deployed in Ukraine under NATO-aligned operations.
Beyond military applications, Excalibur is also advancing heavy-lift multicopters for dual-use scenarios, offering competitive advantages in logistics and specialized civilian tasks where high payload capacity is critical. In the saturated “kamikaze drone” field, the company showcased durable designs with aluminum frames and a broad portfolio of integrated warheads for various missions. Fišerová concluded by noting Excalibur’s ambition to expand into the jet-powered drone segment — a move that could redefine reach, speed, and payload capability in unmanned aerial operations.
The final presentation of the block introduced the Rescue Trailer, presented by Jakub Tomeš. Designed as a practical response to the need for mobile, resilient, and fully integrated drone and counter-drone bases, the Rescue Trailer replaces traditional static containers with a homologated modular trailer. It is fast to deploy, engineered to endure extreme conditions, and proven through field testing at military training grounds.
The Rescue Trailer can serve multiple roles: a mobile drone base, an anti-drone platform, or even a forward command post. Its modular design allows integration of telescopic masts, energy and antenna systems, and detachable weapon stations. A key advantage lies in its ability to autonomously deploy platforms without crew presence, allowing operators to remain hidden and control the systems remotely. Developed through international cooperation with Israeli and Polish partners, the system is already gathering valuable feedback from pilot deployments.
This second session of the morning program illustrated how modern security capabilities are taking shape at the intersection of fast, tactical platforms, robust logistical infrastructure, and intelligent system-wide integration. While the technologies themselves are ready, speakers consistently called for streamlined acquisition processes, pilot programs, and more agile legislative and certification frameworks — essential steps if industrial innovations are to transition swiftly into everyday practice and meaningfully strengthen both critical infrastructure protection and operational security capabilities.
By Katerina Urbanova, EIC ACE
