Romania Firms Up First Watchkeeper Unmanned Air System Purchase | Aviation International News

Paris Air Show 2023

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Romania Firms Up First Watchkeeper UAS Purchase

The Watchkeeper X is the export version of the Watchkeeper UAS developed by Elbit and Thales for the British Army.

Elbit Watchkeeper — The Watchkeeper is based on the Elbit Hermes 450, but has a conventional high-set wing rather than a parasol configuration. (Photo: Elbit Systems)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

June 21, 2023

Elbit Systems has received a purchase order from the Romanian Ministry of National Defence for three Watchkeeper X unmanned air systems (UAS), the Israeli company announced this week at the Paris Airshow. Plans call for delivery of the air vehicles over two years. Worth $180 million, the June 21 order is part of a $410 million framework contract announced on December 21 covering a maximum of seven UASs. Along with the vehicles, Elbit will provide associated systems that include the company's Spectro XR multi-spectral electro-optical payload and new communications equipment.

Watchkeeper X is the export version of an adaptation of the Hermes 450 developed for the British Army by U-TacS, an Elbit joint venture with Thales. Improvements applied to the resultant WK450 included the addition of a second payload—typically a SAR/GMTI radar—and a change of wing position from a parasol to a conventional fuselage mount. A 150-shp Wankel rotary engine made by Elbit subsidiary powers the vehicle.

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.

Ride of the Valkyrie: Airbus Combat Drone Flies in Europe

Airbus plans to team the U740 with Eurofighters by 2029

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Drone mounted nose-up on ramp against forest background

U.S. Navy Tests Autonomy Integration With MQ-20 Drone

Adaptive autonomy elements can modify a mission plan in real-time

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

drone in flight above desert

Northrop Grumman Starts Flying Talon Blue Combat Drone

Autonomous vehicle could compete for U.S. Air Force collaborative combat aircraft program

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Uncrewed aircraft getting airborne from runway, hangar in background

Joby’s Autonomous Caravan Completes Coast-to-coast Trip

On-board safety pilot made no control inputs over 3,199 miles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Joby’s autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan flies past Bodie Island Lighthouse

Bristow Triples Early-delivery Chaparral Reservations

Helicopter operator has reserved 15 of the hybrid-electric cargo drones

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Elroy Air’s hybrid-electric Chaparral cargo drone is parked beside a helicopter from Bristow

Beamed Power Could Keep Solar Aircraft Aloft in Winter

BAE Systems unit gets $21.2 million to test the idea with PHASA-35

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

PHASA-35

Textron, Merlin Unveil Uncrewed SkyCourier Concept

Design study swaps the cockpit for a nose cargo door

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Cessna SkyCourier UX Render

Lockheed Martin Will Build Four Vectis Drone Prototypes

The U.S. defense group displayed a UAS model at the Air & Space Forces Association conference

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Lockheed Martin Vectis UAS