|
The WK450 Watchkeeper is a derivative of the
Hermes 450, developed by Elbit
System's Silver Arrow subsidiary. Watchkeeper is expected to be
operational in the British Army around 2010. Both systems are using
the same configuration of a high wing and V for optimal aerodynamic
and mission performance.
When deployed the Initial Operational
Capability (IOC) Watchkeeper regiment will deploy 12 WK450 UAVs
(regular regiment will have 16). The regiment will operate four
batteries, each supporting a Brigade and two BattleGroup field
headquarters. The regiment will also operate the launch sites, ground
control and recovery teams while tactical command parties will
dispatch to supported elements, they will be equipped to maintain
different levels of control of the payload; all units will be able to
receive raw images directly from the sensors. An entire system, ready
for an initial 24 hours operation, will be deployable on a single
C-130 aircraft. (Continue...)
The information collected on a mission is transmitted via
line-of-sight datalink to the ground station for processing and
interpretation by the ground element, and rapidly processed through
existing intelligence and communications to the users. The aircraft
was tested with an overwing satellite communication pod, which enables
the aircraft to establish wideband datalink beyond-line-of-sight.
Watchkeeper will support UK and coalition forces, including Special
Forces, battlegroup command posts, attack helicopter formations,
attack aircraft or battleships throughout the battlespace. The system
is designed to be integrated with existing and future ISTAR
capabilities, future command and effects systems over NATO common
protocols.
Under a £317 million
order (over $500 million) awarded in
October 2005 to the Leicester based UAv Tactical Systems Ltd.
(U-Tacs) a
joint venture formed by Thales UK and Elbit Systems up to 99 WK-450
UAVs will be produced over eight years. This order is part of the
overall £700 UK MOD Wathkeeper
program. WK450 follows the lines of Elbit's Hermes
450, in service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the US
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). WK450 is different from the
Israeli version in its automatic landing capability, multiple payload
configuration among other features. WK450 was designed for the
"upper range" of tactical missions. Built of a spacious composite
structure, it is optimized for long range, long endurance
(+16 hours) multi-payload missions.
Payloads include
the Compass EO payload, comprised of
four electro-optical systems (visual, Infra-Red (IR) laser rangefinder
and designator), offering advanced scan modes and automatic target
tracking, and the Thales
I-Master
Synthetic Aperture Radar
(SAR)-Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI), radio relay, COMINT
etc. When multiple payloads are carried, an EO/IR payload is mounted
in the lower front section while SAR or other electronic sensors are
mounted in the lower aft section. As WK450 is designed to
support brigades and division levels, air vehicles are expected to
operate at different altitudes - SAR missions are expected to be flown
at maximum altitude (+16,000 feet) for optimal area coverage while EO/IR
are expected to fly at around 10,000' delivering optimal image
quality.
Communications and electronic surveillance antennae are mounted on the
wings and along the fuselage. Satellite communication support and
external stores carrying capability, including extra fuel or weapons
are inherent in the WK450 design and have been evaluated in the UK
under the JUEP program. WK450 is designed for fully autonomous
operation. It can be automatically deployed from short airstrips or
catapult, and are retrieved back at the airstrip through automatic
landing.
 The Ground Control Station (GCS) is mounted on a
standard 20 foot ISO container. The GCS facilitates workspace for up
to four operators, including two image analysts and a communications
specialist. GCS performs image processing, storage and
intelligence dissemination, as well as ad-hoc mission planning. The
GCS also handles interoperability and communications with all
supported forces and other ISTAR assets. The GCS is equipped to
control three UAVs. The IOC systems will use the C band datalinks
already used in the Hermes, produced by Spectralink.
For the Full Operational Capability phase, Thales will
use Qubic Common Data-Link (CDL) for the system, which are compatible
datalinks used by US forces. Maximum operating range is limited by the
line-of-sight datalink to 200 km. When satellite link is used,
operational range can be extended. Current requirements do not provide
for direct feed of image to helicopters, but such capability could
evolve after the initial deployment and will be provided by
adaptations to hardware used by its "clients". The airborne segment of
the datalink has built-in relay capability to enable all airborne UAVs
to support each other to overcome topographical limitations. This
feature is also supported by the mission planning system providing
significant advantage over current systems.
The majority of the system will be produced in the UK.
Airframes will be produced at Leicester (airframes), the ground
segment relies entirely on British technology. Hardware will be
produced in Cambridge (shelters). other companies involved include
Vega, Praxis and Cobham. Flight testing will be performed at Cardigan
Bay. LogicaCMG will be providing the digital battlespace integration
and QinetiQ will contribute its image processing capability. Boeing is
also involved, to ensure integration with US systems. Thales' has also
established a system integration site at its Crawley site, where a
synthetic Watchkeeper environment will support the modeling and
integration of the system's elements, to reduce development risks and
complete the program within the ambitious schedule set by the MOD.
|
