Intelligence

Thales details watchkeeper programme

09 July 2002

Thales Defence Ltd. today announces its key details for the next stage of the UK MoD's Watchkeeper Tactical UAV Programme. Thales' solution offers a major improvement in capability over existing and other currently planned Tactical UAV systems.

For the forthcoming System Integration Assurance Phase (SIAP), Thales has established a synthetic environment based system integration laboratory (SIL) together with its prime contract management office at its Crawley site. The SIL allows operating concepts for Watchkeeper to be modelled, facilitating system integration and risk reduction ahead of MoD Main Gate approval. The synthetic environment is supported by Thales Training & Simulation, acknowledged leaders in this field.

Whilst Thales' own background in battlefield ISTAR is extensive, the company has chosen to harness key domain knowledge from the UK, Europe and the USA in a team which aims to deliver early capability to the UK Armed Forces and system growth to accommodate evolving concepts of operation and technology insertion. The Thales team includes Thales Sensors, Elbit Systems, QinetiQ, Aerosystems International, Thales Defence Information Systems and Thales Optronics.

The Thales solution will see most of the development and production work take place in the UK, which has already been designated as the base for Thales' world-wide centre of excellence for UAV solutions. Industrial arrangements will ensure that security of supply for key technologies and components used in Watchkeeper are maintained.

Thales has chosen the Elbit Systems/Silver Arrow Hermes 180 and 450 as the basis for the Watchkeeper air vehicles. These UAVs offer class-leading performance and endurance whilst benefiting from a high level of commonality which reduces the user training burden and improves value for money. Engines for the Hermes range are made by UAV Engines Ltd, based in Shenstone, Staffordshire.
Alex Dorrian, Chief Executive, Thales Plc, commented: 'Thales Defence is making a major contribution to the UK's ISTAR environment, providing technologies and prime contracting skills to the Soothsayer and MASC programmes and sophisticated subsystems for ASTOR and the Nimrod MRA4".

Thales Sensors is prime contractor for the SK Mk7 that has recently been accepted into service with 849 Squadron Royal Navy. By mid 2004, all thirteen Sea King helicopters will be upgraded with the Thales' Cerberus mission system and Searchwater 2000 AEW radar, to the new ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Control) standard. Thales has extensive experience in ISTAR systems in the UK, France and numerous other countries. Thales' Horizon battlefield surveillance system and Podded SAR systems have both been combat proven in recent conflicts.

Thales Sensors is the British division of Thales Airborne Systems, European leader for airborne mission systems, airborne radars, missile electronics and airborne, naval & ground electronic warfare systems. Global revenues of Thales are over '10 billion. The company employs 65,000 people world-wide; 50 per cent are based outside France, including over 12,000 in the UK companies with a turnover approaching '2 billion.

Note to Editors:

Watchkeeper is an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) system with the primary task of addressing the need for Image Intelligence (IMINT) collection on the battlefield. Watchkeeper includes advanced sensor packages carried by UAVs, passing data to highly mobile ground stations. Intelligence gained from the UAVs is communicated within the digitised battlespace giving commanders vital information on which to base decisions for manoeuvre or fire.

Press contacts :
Verena Adt
Tel : + 33 (0) 1 53 77 86 26

Thales UK
Nick West
Tel: + 44 (0) 1 344 388 000