UK deploys Watchkeeper to Estonia for training
The British Army is to fly its Watchkeeper over Estonia through to the end of August. (Thales)
The UK has deployed its Thales WK 450 Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to Estonia, where it will conduct training missions.
The Estonian Defence Forces announced the deployment of an undisclosed number of UASs on 15 August, saying the type will be flying over the city of Pärnu in the west of the country through to the end of August.
Developed from the Israeli Elbit Hermes 450, the Watchkeeper is operated by the British Army as an unarmed intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platform.
As noted by Janes All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned, the Watchkeeper has fully stabilised Elop CoMPASS electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and Thales Aerospace I-Master synthetic aperture radar (SAR)/ground moving target indicator (GMTI) sensors; laser target marketing, ranging, and designation; and very high frequency/ultra-high frequency and global system for mobile communications rebroadcast. Other options include communications, EO, communications intelligence, and counter-improvised explosive device payloads, while extended endurance fuel tanks can be fitted also.
The UK Ministry of Defence acquired 54 Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), of which 11 are flown by 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, with the remainder (minus seven airframe losses that have been reported/acknowledged to date) held in the sustainment fleet in storage or being used in test and evaluation.
The Watchkeeper falls under the command of the Joint Aviation Command (formerly known as Joint Helicopter Command).
For more information on the Watchkeeper, please see Thales Watchkeeper .
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