In-service date to be delayed as MoD adapts concept
The UK Ministry of Defence is to change the operating concept for its Watchkeeper intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) unmanned air vehicle system in favour of a single platform solution, and is also likely to delay the type's in-service date until 2009, says a British Army official close to the procurement.
Col David Challes from the capability branch of the army's headquarters, director Royal Artillery, says the MoD will favour a proposal to award the Thales-led team a contract for the Watchkeeper system based exclusively on the medium-altitude Hermes 450, abandoning earlier plans to also acquire the smaller Hermes 180 tactical UAV. Noting that the UK's current thinking is based around "affordability issues", Challes says: "The 450 is a mature airframe now, it is bigger than the 180 and offers greater endurance".
The larger UAV also has better growth potential to meet the UK's future operational requirements, he adds.
If confirmed by an approximately £800 million ($1.54 billion) main gate decision early this year to award Thales a production contract for the Watchkeeper system, the changed procurement will see the UK introduce an advanced ISTAR system to replace the army's current BAE Systems Phoenix UAVs. To be equipped with sensors such as electro-optical/infrared, synthetic-aperture radar/ground moving-target indicator, laser range finder and communications relay sensors, the platform will be required largely to operate from established airstrips, although rail-launched missions will also be possible. The UAV could also be equipped to carry a range of weapons under an expansion to its initial capabilities, say industry and military sources.
Challes says operations of the Phoenix could be extended beyond 2008 to cover the UK's full transition to the Hermes 450 by 2009, and the army has already established an operational standards cell and an airworthiness and standards team to address airspace issues linked with the UAV's introduction.
The Thales/Elbit industry team is expected to provide extensive training and support services for the Watchkeeper system, with the MoD likely to contract for a "repair by replacement" support package. Thales is expected to train personnel from the UK's first two of four Watchkeeper batteries and to also train the instructors for the remainder, says Challes.
The use of reservists will support demands for imagery intelligence and command support staff personnel, he says, while the formation of a fifth battery is also under consideration.
Source: Flight International
