Defense Arabia recently conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Richard Glyn-Jones, Co-Founder and Director at Tanglewood Group, who provided valuable insights into the strategic partnership between SYPAQ Systems and Tanglewood Group.
Co-Founder & Director
at Tanglewood Group
Glyn-Jones shed light on the implications this collaboration holds for the global sales and deployment of the SYPAQ Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
According to Glyn-Jones, the partnership between SYPAQ Systems and Tanglewood Group serves a dual purpose. “The strategic partnership between the two companies not only gives Tanglewood the ability to provide the Corvo PPDS to the customer base in our region but also allows us to closely collaborate on future developments to meet the ever-changing set of end-user requirements,” he explained.
When asked about the purpose of the partnership in terms of supporting global sales, Glyn-Jones highlighted Tanglewood’s strong network of trusted partners in Europe and the Middle East. “Tanglewood has a strong network of trusted partners in Europe and the Middle East, and SYPAQ is able to tap into that with our partnership,” he stated.
The Corvo PPDS UAS is equipped with a range of key features and capabilities that make it a valuable asset, particularly in the Middle East. Initially designed for accurate and cost-effective medical supply delivery to the front lines, the Corvo PPDS has expanded its use cases to include Search & Rescue operations and aid delivery. In the Middle East, its long endurance flights offer the potential to locate individuals in distress and deliver crucial life-saving supplies to them.
Tanglewood Group plays a pivotal role in this partnership, utilizing its extensive market reach in the Middle East to support the expansion of Corvo PPDS operations. Drawing upon their past experience and company contracts, Tanglewood’s team members have engaged with numerous customers in the Middle East, establishing valuable connections to facilitate the provision of this cutting-edge capability.
While Tanglewood’s current focus in the Middle East centers on the UAE, the partnership envisions expanding its reach to encompass other regions in the future, thereby broadening the sales, support, and distribution of the Corvo PPDS in the Middle East.
“The PPDS airframe is made of a low-cost material that is strong enough to allow multiple missions. This provides a benefit to the end user of being able to operate affordable systems. The military-grade aspect is within the flight control system and is described as such due to the accuracy of where it can land the drone to carry out the deliveries.”
Richard Glyn-Jones
Exploring the Corvo PPDS’s differentiation as a low-cost, highly capable, and military-grade system, Glyn-Jones clarified, “The PPDS airframe is made of a low-cost material that is strong enough to allow multiple missions. This provides a benefit to the end user of being able to operate affordable systems. The military-grade aspect is within the flight control system and is described as such due to the accuracy of where it can land the drone to carry out the deliveries.”
Discussing the logistical advantages of delivering the Corvo PPDS as a flat pack kit made from waxed foamboard, Glyn-Jones explained, “When disaster strikes, aid agencies often need to airlift huge quantities of supplies to other countries, which is extremely expensive and space is at a premium.” He further added, “With it being made of waxed foamboard, you are also not adding too much weight to the airlift to reduce fuel costs as well.”
While the Corvo PPDS has not been directly involved in operational contexts relevant to Tanglewood, the UAS has proven its adaptability and affordability. Constructed from foamboard, end-users can easily modify the airframe to accommodate additional sensors, such as small cameras for surveying or agricultural monitoring.
Beyond military operations, the Corvo PPDS holds immense potential for a variety of use cases and applications, including Search & Rescue, law enforcement, and humanitarian aid delivery. Tanglewood has been exploring opportunities to leverage the UAS’s larger payload capacity and extended flight time for Search & Rescue missions. Additionally, the Corvo PPDS can transport survival supplies to those in need, making it an invaluable asset in humanitarian aid efforts. Other potential applications range from geographical surveying to system trials and agricultural monitoring.
Regarding the Ukrainian conflict zone, Glyn-Jones clarified, “Tanglewood has no involvement with the PPDS in this area.” He emphasized that the partnership focuses on bringing the capability to the wider market and has a specific focus on humanitarian aid distribution, Search & Rescue, and sensor trials.
While SYPAQ Systems has delivered over 500 PPDS autonomous systems to the Ukrainian Defense Force, Tanglewood Group has played no role in this delivery process.
Looking ahead, the partnership between SYPAQ Systems and Tanglewood Group aims to achieve two primary objectives. First, they seek to expand the customer base for the Corvo PPDS, ensuring broader access to this groundbreaking technology. Second, the collaboration intends to actively support ongoing product development to meet the evolving requirements of customers.
In conclusion, the strategic partnership between SYPAQ Systems and Tanglewood Group holds great promise for the expansion and utilization of the Corvo PPDS. By leveraging their respective strengths and networks, the two companies aim to enhance the capabilities of this autonomous UAS and deliver cutting-edge solutions for various industries, ultimately making a positive impact in the Middle East and beyond.
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