The Market for UAV Reconnaissance Systems - Forecast International

Page 8
Watchkeeper
Unmanned Vehicles Forecast
In Nov 2006, APPH Ltd was awarded a contract to provide landing gear for the WK 450 Watchkeeper UAV. The
company was contracted by Elbit Systems Ltd, and the work is part of a GBP317 million order from U-TacS, the
joint venture in charge of program production.
In Apr 2006, Thales UK awarded Praxis High Integrity Systems a GBP3 million contract as part of the Watchkeeper
program. Praxis is part of Thales UK's Watchkeeper team and is tasked with taking the lead on systems safety
engineering.
In Feb 2006, Thales UK awarded Vega Group plc an initial GBP650,000 training contract for Watchkeeper. Vega is
part of Thales UK's Watchkeeper team and has been engaged to complete a training needs analysis and
risk-reduction study in advance of the full training design contract.
Timetable
Year
Major Development
1999 U.K. issues an Invitation to Tender for UAV programs
2000 U.K. merges Sender and Spectator programs
Sender and Spectator become Watchkeeper
2004 Thales selected as single Watchkeeper contractor
Aug 2005 Full-scale development contract awarded
Sep 2005 WK 450 first flight
2007 Hermes 450 operational with British troops in Iraq
2010(a)
Delivery of the first Watchkeeper UAV
Apr 2011 First production Watchkeeper UAV flies in Wales
Watchkeeper UAV enters service
2011-2012(a) British Army deploys Watchkeeper UAV to Afghanistan
(a) Estimate
Worldwide Distribution/Inventories
Watchkeeper will initially operate in parallel with the Thales-led H-450 UAV. The British MoD began contracting
for UAS services in June 2007. By early 2010, the H-450 had flown more than 30,000 operational hours in support
of current British military operations. The large British contingent in Afghanistan relies on unmanned air vehicles.
The British MoD did say its UAVs do suffer from failures and require about 100 personnel to ensure they function
properly.
The British Army operates UAVs within its 32 and 47 Regiments, Royal Artillery. These units will receive the
Watchkeeper.
A modified version of the WK 450 will be offered to France. This UAV could meet its Systeme de Drone Tactique
Terrestre (SDTT) requirement.
User Country. The United Kingdom will be the initial operator of the Watchkeeper. In addition to the British
Army, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy are also interested in Watchkeeper.
British troops in Afghanistan are dependent on
unmanned aircraft to provide intelligence on the
movements of hostile forces. Unmanned air vehicles
spend countless hours in the air gathering information.
So far, the fact that UAV programs escaped the budget
axe is an indicator of the importance placed on these
systems by the British government.
The United Kingdom is increasing its unmanned aircraft
fleet. The British Army has U.S.-built MQ-9 Reaper
Forecast Rationale
UAVs supporting its troops in Afghanistan. Soon, the
British military will add the new Watchkeeper UAVs to
its fleet.
Problems with the Watchkeeper continue. The British
government announced in 2009 that Watchkeeper would
not enter service as planned. According to a report by
the National Audit Office, the Watchkeeper UAV was
six months behind schedule. This pushed back first
deliveries to late 2010. More delays will push the
July 2011