Watchkeeper UAVs on track
The Thales-led Watchkeeper program is on schedule for entry into service with British forces in 2010, having flown for the first time this year in Israel,

The Thales-led Watchkeeper program is on schedule for entry into service with British forces in 2010, having flown for the first time this year in Israel, where Elbit Systems designed and produced the Hermes 450 WK platform. Designated Hermes 450B, it will have a dual payload comprising gimbaled electro-optical/infrared cameras plus a laser target designator, together with a radar in a second gimbaled pod.

In this form the Hermes 450B will be produced in the UK and made available for export to approved countries. Nick Miller, Thales’ business director UAV systems, reports that Watchkeeper has been offered to several countries. Meanwhile, the Hermes 450 and ground control stations (GCS) installed in ISO containers have been operating in two theaters in support of UK armed forces.