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Poland reveals Warmate micro-loitering munition development
Robin Hughes, London - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets
09 September 2015
WB Electronics' Warmate dual reconnaissance/loitering munition micro-class unmanned combat aircraft system. Source: Robin Hughes/IHS
WB Electronics of Poland has developed a dual aerial reconnaissance/loitering munition platform with interchangeable payload options designed to support tactical surveillance and strike mission requirements in close combat scenarios.
WB Electronics describes Warmate as a pneumatic canister-launched (wings folded) micro-class unmanned combat aircraft system (UCAS) intended for man-portable (back-pack) and vehicle- launched applications. The company says that for man-portable deployments, the Warmate system can be deployed and launched in under 60 seconds. WB Electronics' Director for Research and New Technologies, Wojciech Komorniczak told IHS Jane's that Warmate is also designed to be launched from an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), although this application has not yet been trialled.
With an all-up take-off weight of 4 kg, Warmate can support three payload options with common interfaces. For a loitering munition role, these include the GK-1 linear cumulative charge warhead (for light vehicle-type targets) and the GO-1 high-explosive fragmentation warhead (for anti-personnel missions).
Designed and developed by WB Electronics in collaboration with Poland's Military Armaments Institute, both warheads are equipped with integrated electro-optic (EO) cameras.
For surveillance, detection and identification missions, WB has designed a dual-axis stabilised electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload, designated as the GS9. The payloads can be fitted to suit the mission profile. WB said that while Warmate is an expendable solution in a loitering munition role, it can be recovered using a deep-stall landing when equipped with its GS9 EO/IR payload.
As currently configured, Warmate comprises the Warmate air vehicle, launch canister, three interchangeable payload options, a lightweight (2.5 kg) ruggedised ground control station (using WB-developed Warmate GCS software), and a ground data terminal with a dual axis automatic tracking antenna. For vehicle-launched applications, the ground control station or ground control data terminal can be integrated with the vehicle's existing subsystems architecture.
Warmate has a given line-of-sight operating radius of 10 km, and an operating altitude of 98 ft (30 m) to 656 ft above ground level, with a maximum flight endurance of 30 minutes. The system can fly autonomously to pre-programmed waypoints in a reconnaissance role, or be flown semi-autonomously/manually for loitering munition engagements.
Warmate, which was initially shown by WB Electronics as a concept during the MSPO 2014 defence exhibition in Kielce, Poland, is a fully company funded initiative.
Komorniczak, told IHS Jan e's that the concept has now evolved into a fully developed product, which is now in production. Komorniczak disclosed that the company has secured a launch customer in Asia for Warmate, although the mission role for the system was not disclosed.
Interchangeable GK-1 and GO-1 warheads for the Warmate dual reconnaissance/loitering munition micro-class unmanned combat aircraft system. (Robin Hughes?IHS)
Poland reveals Warmate micro-loitering munition development - IHS Jane's 360
Robin Hughes, London - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets
09 September 2015
WB Electronics' Warmate dual reconnaissance/loitering munition micro-class unmanned combat aircraft system. Source: Robin Hughes/IHS
WB Electronics of Poland has developed a dual aerial reconnaissance/loitering munition platform with interchangeable payload options designed to support tactical surveillance and strike mission requirements in close combat scenarios.
WB Electronics describes Warmate as a pneumatic canister-launched (wings folded) micro-class unmanned combat aircraft system (UCAS) intended for man-portable (back-pack) and vehicle- launched applications. The company says that for man-portable deployments, the Warmate system can be deployed and launched in under 60 seconds. WB Electronics' Director for Research and New Technologies, Wojciech Komorniczak told IHS Jane's that Warmate is also designed to be launched from an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), although this application has not yet been trialled.
With an all-up take-off weight of 4 kg, Warmate can support three payload options with common interfaces. For a loitering munition role, these include the GK-1 linear cumulative charge warhead (for light vehicle-type targets) and the GO-1 high-explosive fragmentation warhead (for anti-personnel missions).
Designed and developed by WB Electronics in collaboration with Poland's Military Armaments Institute, both warheads are equipped with integrated electro-optic (EO) cameras.
For surveillance, detection and identification missions, WB has designed a dual-axis stabilised electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload, designated as the GS9. The payloads can be fitted to suit the mission profile. WB said that while Warmate is an expendable solution in a loitering munition role, it can be recovered using a deep-stall landing when equipped with its GS9 EO/IR payload.
As currently configured, Warmate comprises the Warmate air vehicle, launch canister, three interchangeable payload options, a lightweight (2.5 kg) ruggedised ground control station (using WB-developed Warmate GCS software), and a ground data terminal with a dual axis automatic tracking antenna. For vehicle-launched applications, the ground control station or ground control data terminal can be integrated with the vehicle's existing subsystems architecture.
Warmate has a given line-of-sight operating radius of 10 km, and an operating altitude of 98 ft (30 m) to 656 ft above ground level, with a maximum flight endurance of 30 minutes. The system can fly autonomously to pre-programmed waypoints in a reconnaissance role, or be flown semi-autonomously/manually for loitering munition engagements.
Warmate, which was initially shown by WB Electronics as a concept during the MSPO 2014 defence exhibition in Kielce, Poland, is a fully company funded initiative.
Komorniczak, told IHS Jan e's that the concept has now evolved into a fully developed product, which is now in production. Komorniczak disclosed that the company has secured a launch customer in Asia for Warmate, although the mission role for the system was not disclosed.
Poland reveals Warmate micro-loitering munition development - IHS Jane's 360