El-Op CoMPASS (compact multi- purpose advanced stabilised system) electro-optical system and a Thales Aerospace I-Master radar. CoMPASS features a variety of sensors including third-generation Mid Wave Infrared (MWIR) 3-5 micron sensor is a focal plane array while the Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) is an 8-12 micron Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR). It can also have colour TV camera with zoom, an eye-safe laser rangefinder, diode-pumped laser designator, laser target illuminator and an autotracker. The electronic sensor, the I-Master is a 30 kilogramme synthetic aperture radar with ground moving target indicator with a range of up to 20 kilometres. The sensors are powered by high-energy lithium ion batteries from British-based company ABSL Power Solutions.
The data links integrate the aircraft
with a network of containerised ground control stations, where the imagery from the sensors can be analysed and disseminated, or they may be sent to remote video terminals. The Ground Control Station (GCS) is in a 20 foot
(6.1 metre) container carried by standard Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System (DROPS) vehicles which form the logistic backbone of the British Army and it has satellite links with the outside world. The whole system is controlled by just two people, neither of whom has to be a trained pilot, with one operator controlling the mission while the other tracks the information being fed from the airborne sensors although up to three WK450 can operate in tandem to ensure maximum operational coverage,
The Ministry of Defence is buying
54 aircraft and these will be operated by 32 Regiment but it will be part of a comprehensive ISTAR package which will include the Sentinel R.1 battlefield surveillance radar systems and other UAVs. The information generated by the system will allows commanders to detect, to identify and to track targets without the need to deploy troops into potentially sensitive or dangerous areas, and also provides the ability to loiter while a target is engaged. The GCS will be network enabled to ensure
comprehensive communications links, for example to airborne stand- off radar, attack aircraft and battle group headquarters. Interoperability extends both within and without the British armed forces through the use of NATO standard data links and international standards for image data transfer allowing it to be integrated into American network-centric warfare. The first flight of the Watchkeeper
UAV was in April 2008 and four months later trials of the Magic ATOLS were successfully completed. During the rest of the year the payload trials were completed while major flight trials of the Watchkeeper were completed in June 2009, allowing for further ground system and flight tests in the United Kingdom. The flight in the United Kingdom is a major step in a long-term programme to demonstrate the safety and airworthiness criteria needed to fly on ranges and in segregated British airspace.
E.R. Hooton Defence Journalist
The slim lines of the Watchkeeper make it a hard target to locate and “pilots” can quickly learn how to manoeuvre it around the sky to ensure that it does not fall victim to ground fire. Photo credit Thales UK
56 G3 DEFENCE
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