During MSPO 2016, Thales UK presented the WATCHKEEPER X UAV, a planned export version of the WATCHKEEPER 450.
The WATCHKEEPER UAV remains a proposal for Poland, which continues the GRYF (GRIFFIN) programme. Its goal is to procure 12 sets (four vehicles in each) of tactical UAVs of medium range. They will be combined with the ZEFIR (ZEPHYRUS) project of four sets of MALE class. It was confirmed that Poland is now considering offers for ZEFIR from the US (General Atomics MQ-9 REAPER and MQ-1C GRAY EAGLE) and Israel (Elbit Systems HERMES 900). Two sets are to be procured before 2022 and two after.
The WATCHKEEPER X, unveiled during DSEI 2015 in London, made its Polish debut this year at MSPO. This is a joint project between Thales UK and France’s Vitec. It has the basic airframe, human-machine interface and flight control software of a standard WATCHKEEPER 450. As a result, the WATCHKEEPER X maintains CS23/STANAG 4671 airworthiness standards. A goal of the X programme is to design and produce a special, export version of WATCHKEEPER , developed in parallel to but independent from the British WATCHKEEPER 450. WATCHKEEPER X will be modular, which means certain additional packages such as weapon systems or surveillance sensors (including lug-and-play HD EO/IR turret or ground/maritime radars) could be easily installed, according to particular needs of any customer.
Other potential payloads are radar electronic support measures (RESM), cryptographic electronic support measures (CESM), communications intelligence systems (CommINT), remote terminals, target indicators, recorders or additional data-links. WATCHKEEPER X is intended foremost for Poland and France, although it will be offered to all foreign partners.
The WATCHKEEPER offered to Poland is armed with four FFLMMs (free-fall lightweight multi-role missiles). They weigh 6kg each, with a high-explosive warhead. It has a dual guidance system – either by GPS or by a laser. During MSPO 2016, it was confirmed that integration and flight tests of FFLMM, including inert and live drops, are planned to start next year. The Polish defence industry will be involved. An armed version of GRYF is a requirement of the Polish Ministry of National Defence. At the same time Poland wants to be responsible for a final assembly, maintenance and modernization of GRYF drones.
The FFLMM was developed by Thales UK partnered with Textron, who acts as the US market partner in the weapon’s development. Textron markets the weapon as the FURY, alongside its heavier G-CLAW glide bomb.
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| WATCHKEEPER X will be modular, which means certain additional packages such as weapon systems or surveillance sensors (including lug-and-play HD EO/IR turret or ground/maritime radars) could be easily installed, according to particular needs of any customer. (Photos: Robert Czula) |
The WATCHKEEPER UAV remains a proposal for Poland, which continues the GRYF (GRIFFIN) programme. Its goal is to procure 12 sets (four vehicles in each) of tactical UAVs of medium range. They will be combined with the ZEFIR (ZEPHYRUS) project of four sets of MALE class. It was confirmed that Poland is now considering offers for ZEFIR from the US (General Atomics MQ-9 REAPER and MQ-1C GRAY EAGLE) and Israel (Elbit Systems HERMES 900). Two sets are to be procured before 2022 and two after.
The WATCHKEEPER X, unveiled during DSEI 2015 in London, made its Polish debut this year at MSPO. This is a joint project between Thales UK and France’s Vitec. It has the basic airframe, human-machine interface and flight control software of a standard WATCHKEEPER 450. As a result, the WATCHKEEPER X maintains CS23/STANAG 4671 airworthiness standards. A goal of the X programme is to design and produce a special, export version of WATCHKEEPER , developed in parallel to but independent from the British WATCHKEEPER 450. WATCHKEEPER X will be modular, which means certain additional packages such as weapon systems or surveillance sensors (including lug-and-play HD EO/IR turret or ground/maritime radars) could be easily installed, according to particular needs of any customer.
Other potential payloads are radar electronic support measures (RESM), cryptographic electronic support measures (CESM), communications intelligence systems (CommINT), remote terminals, target indicators, recorders or additional data-links. WATCHKEEPER X is intended foremost for Poland and France, although it will be offered to all foreign partners.
The WATCHKEEPER offered to Poland is armed with four FFLMMs (free-fall lightweight multi-role missiles). They weigh 6kg each, with a high-explosive warhead. It has a dual guidance system – either by GPS or by a laser. During MSPO 2016, it was confirmed that integration and flight tests of FFLMM, including inert and live drops, are planned to start next year. The Polish defence industry will be involved. An armed version of GRYF is a requirement of the Polish Ministry of National Defence. At the same time Poland wants to be responsible for a final assembly, maintenance and modernization of GRYF drones.
The FFLMM was developed by Thales UK partnered with Textron, who acts as the US market partner in the weapon’s development. Textron markets the weapon as the FURY, alongside its heavier G-CLAW glide bomb.
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| WATCHKEEPER X is intended foremost for Poland and France, although it will be offered to all foreign partners. |
Robert Czula