MSPO 2015 was full of interesting premieres of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAV).
Thales UK and WB Group (a private company from Poland) jointly presented an armed version of the WATCHKEEPER 450, which is officially offered to Poland under GRYF (GRIFFIN) programme. Its aim is to procure 12 sets (four vehicles in each) of tactical UAVs of medium range. It is believed that the WATCHKEEPER 450 is a favourite in the GRYF procurement programme, which has, along with the ZEFIR (ZEPHYRUS) project (four sets of MALE class, each with three UAVs) a priority within Poland’s technical modernisation programme for 2013-2022.
WATCHKEEPER 450 was armed with four armed FFLMM missiles (Free-Fall Lightweight Multi-role Missile, developed by Thales at its missiles division based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, partnering with Textron, who markets the weapon as the FURY, alongside its heavier G-CLAW glide bomb). They weigh 6kg each with a High Explosive (HE) warhead. It has a dual guidance system – either by GPS or by a laser.
A week before MSPO, the Minister of National Defense announced that Poland will acquire GRYF UAVs from Polish companies. A contract should be signed in late 2016. One month earlier, Thales UK signed a cooperation agreement with WB Electronics on joint works on UAVs. The main goal of this collaboration is to build an indigenous tactical UAV based on the WATCHKEEPER 450. During MSPO 201,5 it was confirmed that WB Electronics wants to ingenuously develop elements, such as a two-way data link, mission computer software, cryptographic components, and parts of the Electro Optic (EO) sensors. WB Electronics will also be responsible for the integration of the command and visual systems of a new UAV into the Polish Armed Forces. If the WATCHKEEPER 450 is selected for the GRYF programme, Poland would become the first buyer of the military version of the this UAV.
During MSPO, WB Electronics made one more important debut: A tactical UAV system known as MANTA. It is available in two variants: In a VTOL configuration (vertical take-off and landing) as well as in the standard variant (classic takeoff and landing with the use of a retractable tricycle landing gear). MANTA can be equipped with reconnaissance sensors, such as EO/IR payload with a rangefinder and a laser target designator, COMINT/ELINT radio and electronic reconnaissance payload, payloads for detection of CBR contamination, SAR synthetic aperture radar, and the MPR maritime radar. Its avionics have been developed by two Polish companies – WB Electronics and Flytronic.
MANTA presented in Kielce was armed with a STING gliding bomb. According to WB Electronics, MANTA is able to carry up to eight of these and similar small bombs.
It has a widespan of 6,6m and maximum speed of 60km/h. MANTA is equipped with a hybrid propulsion power system (electro-combustion engine). Its fuselage length is 3.3 metres. The empty weight of the MANTA is 70kg, with a maximum take-off weight of 140 kilogrammes.
MANTA is an official candidate for the Polish modernization programme known as ORLIK (COLUMBINE). Its main objective is to procure 12 sets (each with 3-5 UAVs) at a brigade level.
Elbit System presented the HERMES 450 medium-size multi-payload UAV designed for tactical long endurance missions. This is an Israeli offer for the GRYF programme. HERMES 900, a medium UAV of the MALE (Medium Altitude-Long Endurance) class, is a proposal for the ZEFIR project.
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| Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently completed a series of flight demonstrations of its HAROP Loitering Munitions in Israel for a foreign customer. These demonstrations follow various other successful operational exercises performed in the last few months for different customers. (All Photos: Robert Czulda) |
Thales UK and WB Group (a private company from Poland) jointly presented an armed version of the WATCHKEEPER 450, which is officially offered to Poland under GRYF (GRIFFIN) programme. Its aim is to procure 12 sets (four vehicles in each) of tactical UAVs of medium range. It is believed that the WATCHKEEPER 450 is a favourite in the GRYF procurement programme, which has, along with the ZEFIR (ZEPHYRUS) project (four sets of MALE class, each with three UAVs) a priority within Poland’s technical modernisation programme for 2013-2022.
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| Thales and WB Group unveiled an armed version of the WATCHKEEPER 450 at MSPO 2015. |
WATCHKEEPER 450 was armed with four armed FFLMM missiles (Free-Fall Lightweight Multi-role Missile, developed by Thales at its missiles division based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, partnering with Textron, who markets the weapon as the FURY, alongside its heavier G-CLAW glide bomb). They weigh 6kg each with a High Explosive (HE) warhead. It has a dual guidance system – either by GPS or by a laser.
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| The WATCHKEEPER 450 was armed with Thales' FFLMM missile, aka Textron's FURY. |
A week before MSPO, the Minister of National Defense announced that Poland will acquire GRYF UAVs from Polish companies. A contract should be signed in late 2016. One month earlier, Thales UK signed a cooperation agreement with WB Electronics on joint works on UAVs. The main goal of this collaboration is to build an indigenous tactical UAV based on the WATCHKEEPER 450. During MSPO 201,5 it was confirmed that WB Electronics wants to ingenuously develop elements, such as a two-way data link, mission computer software, cryptographic components, and parts of the Electro Optic (EO) sensors. WB Electronics will also be responsible for the integration of the command and visual systems of a new UAV into the Polish Armed Forces. If the WATCHKEEPER 450 is selected for the GRYF programme, Poland would become the first buyer of the military version of the this UAV.
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| WB Electronics and Flytronic's MANTA tactical UAS, an official candidate for the Polish ORLIK modernization programme. |
During MSPO, WB Electronics made one more important debut: A tactical UAV system known as MANTA. It is available in two variants: In a VTOL configuration (vertical take-off and landing) as well as in the standard variant (classic takeoff and landing with the use of a retractable tricycle landing gear). MANTA can be equipped with reconnaissance sensors, such as EO/IR payload with a rangefinder and a laser target designator, COMINT/ELINT radio and electronic reconnaissance payload, payloads for detection of CBR contamination, SAR synthetic aperture radar, and the MPR maritime radar. Its avionics have been developed by two Polish companies – WB Electronics and Flytronic.
MANTA presented in Kielce was armed with a STING gliding bomb. According to WB Electronics, MANTA is able to carry up to eight of these and similar small bombs.
It has a widespan of 6,6m and maximum speed of 60km/h. MANTA is equipped with a hybrid propulsion power system (electro-combustion engine). Its fuselage length is 3.3 metres. The empty weight of the MANTA is 70kg, with a maximum take-off weight of 140 kilogrammes.
MANTA is an official candidate for the Polish modernization programme known as ORLIK (COLUMBINE). Its main objective is to procure 12 sets (each with 3-5 UAVs) at a brigade level.
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| Elbit Systems displayed its HERMES 900 at MSPO 2015, as a proposal for the ZEFIR project. |
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| Elbit System presented the HERMES 450 medium-size multi-payload UAV designed for tactical long endurance missions, offered for the GRYF programme |
Elbit System presented the HERMES 450 medium-size multi-payload UAV designed for tactical long endurance missions. This is an Israeli offer for the GRYF programme. HERMES 900, a medium UAV of the MALE (Medium Altitude-Long Endurance) class, is a proposal for the ZEFIR project.
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| Finmeccanica Selex ES' FALCO EVO's all-weather surveillance capability is ideal for environmental monitoring, border and coastal patrol, seen here carrying a high resolution AESA synthetic aperture radar (SAR) . |
Robert Czulda
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