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WB Electronics Warmate

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Warmate
TypeLoitering munition
Place of origin Poland
Service history
Used bySee Operators
WarsRussian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
ManufacturerWB Electronics
Unit cost$26,459.93 in 2017 (equivalent to $32,890 in 2023)
Produced2016–current
Specifications
MassEmpty: 4 kg (8.8 lb)
MTOW: 5.7 kg (13 lb) (Warmate), 30 kg (66 lb) (Warmate 2)
Length1.1 m (3 ft 7 in)
Width1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)

WarheadWarmate:
Training, HE-FRAG with 300g of TNT or HEAT (penetration 200–240mm of RHA)
Warmate 2:
Training, HE-FRAG, thermobaric FAE or HEAT (penetration 400mm of RHA)
Warhead weightWarmate:
1.4 kg (3.1 lb)
Warmate 2:
5 kg (11 lb)

EngineElectric motor
Operational
range
Warmate:
30 km (19 mi)
Warmate 2:
30–240 km (19–149 mi)
Flight ceiling9,800 ft (3,000 m) AMSL
Flight altitudeWarmate:
150–300 m (490–980 ft) AGL
Warmate 2:
100–200 m (330–660 ft) AGL
Maximum speed Flight: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)
Attack: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
Accuracy1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) CEP

WB Electronics Warmate is a class of loitering munition UAVs developed by the Polish defence contractor WB Group.[1] It can be equipped with several different payloads, including fragmentation, HEAT and thermobaric warheads[1] and has a swarming capability.[2]

Warmate entered into the initial production in 2016.[3]

Variants

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Warmate-R

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Warmate-R is an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) version based on the same fuselage and ground segment. It integrates 3 cameras to provide multiple views: an 8mm lens facing forward, and an 8mm and 12mm optics providing smooth tilting capabilities from a downward position (0 deg) to one side (90 deg). It can be equipped with daylight or thermal cameras with remote pan and tilt, as well as a laser target designator. It has a "Target Lock" mode for tracking moving targets and enables accurate target location data.[4]

Warmate-TL

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Warmate-TL (Tube Launch) is a variant that can be launched from man-portable or vehicle-mounted tubular launchers and can be integrated with multiple different platforms such as ground vehicles, helicopters, or warships.[2]

"3.0" generation

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The "3.0" generation of the Warmate system has been refined based on the inputs from customers and their combat experiences. The system is characterized by:[2]

  • 30 km (19 mi; 16 nmi) radio range with control handover support for a total operational range of 80 km (50 mi; 43 nmi),
  • 70 minute flight endurance,
  • Warheads designed for better firepower against high-value targets, incl. persons and reconnaissance, communications and EW systems,
  • Quiet[5] low-RPM engine that can be shut down during the engagement to avoid detection,
  • Ability to fold the propeller blades in the final attack phase of flight,[5]
  • Ability to operate in all weather conditions,
  • Extra control surfaces on the wings for improved maneuverability, and
  • Integration with other WB Electronics systems such as the FlyEye mini reconnaissance drone or Topaz battle management system.

Warmate 2

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Warmate 2 is a newer, larger, and heavier version of the original Warmate drone to be launched from elastomeric vehicle-mounted launchers.[2]

This new model features an increased 30 kg (66 lb) maximum take-off weight[6] and heavier 5 kg (11 lb) high-explosive-fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive (FAE) and HEAT warheads designed to destroy armored vehicles, command outposts and other hardened targets.[2] The HEAT warhead is capable of penetration of 400mm of RHA.[6] The manufacturer promotes this variant as a viable alternative to anti-tank guided missiles, allowing for engagements at standoff distances, while also simplifying target acquisition.[5] The rest of the warheads has a 40 m (130 ft) fragmentation (HE) or implosion (FAE) effect.[6]

The radio range of Warmate 2 has been extended to 180 km (110 mi) for a total operational range of 30–240 km (19–149 mi), which translates to a 2 hour flight endurance. The flight altitude was lowered to 100–200 m (330–660 ft) for lower probability of intercept.[2]

The flight control is fully automatic with waypoint navigation, and an automatic video tracker with EO and thermal IR cameras allowing for all-weather operations and night combat.[6]

W2MPIR (Vampire) system

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W2MPIR (Vampire; pol. Wielowarstwowy System Przełamania A2AD/Powietrzny Inteligentny Rój; transl. Multi-Layered A2AD Penetration System/Aerial Smart Swarm) is a system designed to breach the enemy's anti-access/area denial (A2AD) defenses and provide a cost-effective strike/reconnaissance capability to fulfill the suppression of enemy air/missile defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare (EW) missions.[2][7]

The system consists of assorted interoperable WB Electronics UAVs operating in a swarm, including the Warmate 3.0 and/or Warmate 2 loitering munitions, together with the FlyEye and FT-5 Łoś multi-role reconnaissance platforms capable of identification, location, and jamming of electronic sensors and radars.[2][7]

Operators

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Current operators

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Future operators

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Specifications

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Warmate

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  • Length: 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: ~ 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
  • Empty weight: 4 kilograms (8.8 lb)
  • Payload weight: 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb)
  • Max take-off weight: 5.7 kilograms (12.6 lb)
  • Cruise airspeed: 80 km/h (50 mph; 43 kn)[1]
  • Max horizontal speed: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)[17]
  • Max attack airspeed: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
  • Range: 30 kilometres (19 mi; 16 nmi)
  • Endurance: 60 minutes
  • Cruise altitude: 150 to 300 metres (500 to 1,000 ft) AGL
  • Flight ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) AMSL
  • Warhead: Training, HE-FRAG with 300g of TNT or HEAT (penetration 200–240mm against RHA)
  • CEP: 1.5m
  • Propulsion: Electric motor

Flight modes

  • AUTO: follows a pre-programmed route.[17]
  • HOLD: orbits a point over the ground.
  • FLY TO: fly to the selected point with a stable altitude.
  • CRUISE: keep a particular altitude and flight direction, semi-manual control supported by autopilot in the camera direction.
  • SEARCH: slow diving flight necessary for proper target selection.[18]
  • ATTACK: initiates the strike. The automated video tracker allows for a precise target hit even after the loss of communication.

Warmate R

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  • Range: 15 km (9.3 mi)[4]
  • Endurance: 80 minutes
  • Weight: 5.2 kilograms (11 lb)
  • Operation ceiling: 500 m (1,600 ft)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "WARMATE loitering munitions". Archived from the original on 2022-07-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "WB Group's Smart Swarm: Against the A2/AD Systems". defence24.com (in Polish). 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  3. ^ Glowacki, Bartosz (28 April 2016). "Warmate expendable UAV in production for two customers". flightglobal.com. DVV Media Group. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b "WARMATE R Loitering Reconnaissance System". Archived from the original on 2022-06-27.
  5. ^ a b c d "Lithuania to hand over Warmate kamikaze drones to Ukraine in October-November". Militarnyi. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  6. ^ a b c d "Loitering Munitions System / WARMATE 2" (PDF). WB Group. 2018-09-03. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  7. ^ a b "SWARM System". WB GROUP. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  8. ^ "MON kupuje WarmateTekst pochodzi z Magazynu Militarnego MILMAG. Przeczytaj więcej" [Ministry of National Defense buys Warmate]. www.MilMag.pl (in Polish). 2017.
  9. ^ "Polacy kupili bojowe drony dla Ukrainy" [The Polish had bought combat drones for Ukraine]. defence24.pl (in Polish). Defence24. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  10. ^ "Polska amunicja krążąca "zdobywa" Indie". 20 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Defense Forces of Georgia Received UAVs Produced in Georgia and American Radars". mod.gov.ge. Ministry of Defence of Georgia. 2023-12-14.
  12. ^ "WB GROUP unmanned systems for Georgia". 18 May 2022.
  13. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (23 March 2021). "Tracking Arms Transfers By The UAE, Russia, Jordan And Egypt To The Libyan National Army Since 2014". Oryx Blog.
  14. ^ "Warmate w Libii" [Warmate in Libya]. www.altair.com.pl (in Polish). 2020.
  15. ^ Defence24 (2024-10-02). "Polska firma z koreańskim kontraktem". defence24.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-10-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Son Hyo-joo (3 October 2024). "軍, 폴란드산 자폭 드론 구매 계약… 北 위협에 맞불". The Dong-A Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  17. ^ a b "WARMATE Loitering Munitions System" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-07-20.
  18. ^ "Warmate TL". Archived from the original on 2022-07-20.
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