|
In July 2005 a £700
million contract was awarded to Thales to provide the Royal Artillery
with an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) named Watchkeeper designed for all
weather, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and
Reconnaissance (ISTAR) use.
Watchkeeper will probably enter service in 2010. There will be a
payload capacity of 150 kg, an endurance of around 17 hours and an all
up weight of 450 kg. Watchkeeper will be based on the Elbit Hermes 450 UAV design.
The Watchkeeper UAV capability is part of the UK’s plans for a Network
Enabled Capability that will provide UK commanders with accurate,
timely and high quality information, including imagery.
Watchkeeper will be fully integrated into the wider command and
control digitised network, passing data quickly to those who need it.
Watchkeeper will be operated and deployed by 32 Regt Royal Artillery
to meet the information requirements of HQ Land Manoeuvre Commanders.
Watchkeeper will almost certainly replace the Phoenix UAV system (the
current UAV in service with the UK’s Armed Forces) although it remains
a possibility that elements of Phoenix may continue in service as part
of the overall capability transition.
Photos Crown
Copyright
|
