The Thales Watchkeeper WK450 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) used by the British Army. It was developed by UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), a joint venture of Elbit Systems UK and Thales UK, and is based on Elbit's Hermes 450. [2]

The Watchkeeper X is a high-performance, tactical, unmanned aircraft system developed by Thales and Elbit. It is the export variant of the Thales Watchkeeper WK450, derived from the Hermes 450. The drone was first unveiled in 2015 at the DSEI 2015 exhibition in London. Initially, the drone was offered to Poland. [1][2]

The Watchkeeper UAS provides persistent, timely and accurate ISTAR to commanders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fully network-enabled system will serve the UK Armed Forces for the next 30 years. Watchkeeper is the first UAS to be awarded a full Release To Service (RTS) and is the only UAS of its type allowed to fly in UK airspace.

Jul 7, 2021 · The Watchkeeper is a dual sensor and all-weather unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that provides real time aerial reconnaissance to enable increased situational awareness for ground-based forces. It was developed by Thales UK in partnership with Elbit Systems, a defence electronics company based in Israel.

Watchkeeper is a certified Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) equipped with a configurable intelligence and reconnaissance payload. Watchkeeper is operated by the Royal Artillery (RA) and maintained by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

Nov 29, 2024 · The Watchkeeper platform was a development of the Elbit Systems Hermes 450 tactical UAV. built by U-TacS, a joint venture company owned 50-50 by Elbit Systems and Thales UK at a facility near Leicester.

Oct 5, 2015 · Watchkeeper X (WK X) is a high-performance, tactical, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developed by French electronic systems company Thales for military and homeland security missions. It was launched at the DSEI 2015 defence exhibition held in London, UK, in September 2015.

Nov 28, 2024 · The UK government’s decision to send its Watchkeeper uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs) into early retirement marks an ignominious end for a once-ambitious effort to boost the British Army’s airborne...

Watchkeeper can identify and pinpoint targets, and, when appropriate, control or cue military action. Its sensors and laser subsystem provide accurate target location data to support precision assets, and can mark targets for ground forces.

Apr 14, 2010 · The Thales Watchkeeper WK450 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) used by the British Army. It was developed by UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), a joint venture of Elbit Systems UK and Thales UK, and is based on Elbit's Hermes 450.