UK Watchkeeper UAS Gets Delayed Green Light | Aviation International News

UK Watchkeeper UAS Gets Delayed Green Light

Since its first flight in the UK in April 2010, the Watchkeeper has flown approximately 1,000 hours at the Parc Aberporth test site. Now the training of British Army personnel can begin. (Photo: Thales)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

March 5, 2014

The UK Ministry of Defence has finally signed off on the Watchkeeper tactical unmanned air system for the British Army, awarding the system a formal Release to Service (RTS). The RTS award brings to an end a process to certificate the Watchkeeper for military service that has dragged on approximately three years longer than originally anticipated, and follows the STDA (statement of type design assurance) that was received from the UK MAA (Military Aircraft Authority) in October. The system is the first unmanned aircraft to be certified by the MAA, and some of the delays have been attributable to the Watchkeeper acting as the “pipe-cleaner” for any unmanned systems that follow it.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Become a Member

Already a member? Sign In

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11: How it Changed Airbus and Boeing

The fall-out from the terror attacks was to have short- and long-term consequences

Boeing Sonic Cruiser

Will Embraer Go Big by Developing a Large Narrowbody Jet?

Industry experts privately debate whether the Brazilian airframer can take the risk

Embraer E195-E2 aircraft

Baggage Floor Removal Vexing for Lear Jet Restoration

The group looks to return Lear 23-003 to flight

the baggage floor in Lear 23-003

Joby eVTOL Begins Week of Flights across North Texas

Project Nexus makes first flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program

Joby’s eVTOL air taxi prototype sits on the ramp at Perot Field

Bombardier Global 8000 Earns UK London City Approval

Approval eases access to central London

Bombardier Global 8000

Netherlands Opts for Its Inaugural AEW&C Aircraft

Bilateral capability with Sweden marks nation’s first AEW&C acquisition

GlobalEye

FAA Grants Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer

Bye Aerospace’s prototype is ready for flight testing

Rod Zastrow, Bye Aerospace CEO

France Receives Its First Falcon Albatros Patrol Jets

Dassault based the maritime patrol aircraft on the Falcon 2000LXS

A Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000LXS Albatros maritime surveillance aircraft flies over a coastal area.