Thales Watchkeeper WK450

Watchkeeper WK450
A Watchkeeper based at RAF Akrotiri
General information
TypeUnmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle
National originUnited Kingdom Israel
ManufacturerThales Group & Elbit Systems
StatusIn service[1]
Primary userBritish Army
History
Introduction date30 November 2018 (full operational capability)
First flight14 April 2010
Developed fromElbit Hermes 450
VariantsWatchkeeper X

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. It is provided under an £800 million contract with UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), a joint venture of Elbit Systems UK and Thales UK, and is based on Elbit's Hermes 450.[2]

  1. ^ Ripley, Tim (7 February 2019). "Watchkeeper achieves full operational capability". Jane's Defence Weekly. IHS. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference thereg-20171129 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).