Unmanned systems of the British Army
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Unmanned systems of the British Army is a list of all modern and in service remote and unmanned surveillance, reconnaissance, bomb disposal and combat systems of the British Army, as of May 2023.
Unmanned vehicles
[edit]Watchkeeper WK450
[edit]The Thales Watchkeeper WK450 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for all weather, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) used by the British Army. [1]
It was reported in January 2022 that talks were on-going between the MoD and Elbit Systems in regard to a possible mid-life upgrade. Watchkeeper's out-of-service date is programmed to be 2042. [2]
47th Regiment Royal Artillery is the sole operator of the Thales Watchkeeper WK450. [3]
T7 Multi-Mission Robotic System
[edit]The L3Harris T7 Multi-Mission Robot is equipped with high-definition cameras, lightning-fast datalinks, an adjustable manipulation arm, and tough all-terrain treads, allowing them to neutralise a wide range of explosive threats. [4]
The T7 replaces the previously used Wheelbarrow Mk8B. The robot is purpose-built to operate in extreme conditions and offers support for high-calibre EOD disruptors. Its unique haptic grip controller also provides precision critical to complex tasks, keeping soldiers out of harm’s way, and saving lives. [5]
Desert Hawk III
[edit]The Desert Hawk, in service with 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery, allows for local area reconnaissance and base perimeter protection. Made of a lightweight material, it is capable of rough landings without major damage and is driven by a pusher quiet propeller. Equipped with three cameras, it can transmit real time video to a small laptop carried by the operators. [6]
In December 2022, the MoD announced that under the Tiquila programme, it had awarded £129m contract to Lockheed Martin to purchase Stalker and Indago 4 drones to replace the Desert Hawk III by the end of 2024. [7]
Dragon Runner
[edit]Dragon Runner is a lightweight, man portable, back-packable robot capable of detecting a variety of explosive devices without putting the operator in danger, which helps bomb disposal experts find and deactivate improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The version purchased is tracked, with a controllable manipulation arm and a very rugged design to be thrown from vehicles, over fences and through windows without damage.[8]
Obsolete unmanned systems
[edit]- BAE Systems Phoenix
- Canadair CL-89 Midge
- Radio BTT, OQ-19 Observer, Northrop MQM-57 Falconer
- Black Hornet Nano
- Wheelbarrow Mk8
- Foster-Miller TALON
- Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk
- Mini MineWolf MW240
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Watchkeeper - Army".
- ^ "Watchkeeper WK450 Question for Ministry of Defence". 11 July 2022.
- ^ "The Army's Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (TUAS) Regiment".
- ^ "L3Harris to supply T7 EOD robotic systems to UK MoD". July 31, 2019.
- ^ "First Harris T7 bomb disposal robots sent to British army". December 26, 2018.
- ^ "Artillery and Air Defence - Portable Uncrewed Air Systems - British Army".
- ^ "Project TIQUILA UK Mini Drones Contract". 16 December 2022.
- ^ "Engineering Equipment - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)".
External links
[edit]- Equipment - British Army - Official British Army website managed by the Ministry of Defence.