Thales, Thales UK has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems to support UK forces on current operations. The UAV systems will provide an urgently needed intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability for UK forces.
The contract includes the provision of Hermes 450 UAV systems, as well as training of the UK MoD staff in the use and maintenance of the system, and the provision of contractor logistic support (CLS) and programme management services. This work will be managed from the U-TacS facility in Leicester, which currently employs approximately 100 personnel. U-TacS also provides the core UAV systems for the Thales UK Watchkeeper UAV system.
Wing Commander Ian Gale from the ISTAR Equipment Capability Directorate of the UK MoD says: “This UAV system augments our current capability and will significantly increase the intelligence available for those members of our Armed Forces currently on deployment around the world.”
Alex Dorrian, CEO of Thales UK says: “Thales UK has shown once again that it is ready and able to support UK MoD with innovative solutions, equipment and services in short timescales to meet operational requirements. It is very important for industry to be able to react quickly in this way to provide support to emerging requirements. As an additional benefit the experience that UK forces will gain in operating this equipment will give an insight into the greater capability that Watchkeeper will offer when it comes into service at the end of the decade.”
Background Information
In 2005, Thales UK was awarded the Prime Contract to deliver the UK’s Watchkeeper Tactical UAV system. Watchkeeper is an ISTAR system being developed to meet worldwide operating conditions and full integration within the UK operational environment. Watchkeeper will have flexible take-off and landing options, UK certification, all-weather performance and dual payload capability, features that are essential to meet the Watchkeeper key user requirements. Production of equipment and the actions required to fulfill the other Lines of Development are in progress for Watchkeeper to meet a scheduled 2010 in-service date
Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. Thales employs 9,000 staff in the UK, based at more than 50 locations. In 2006 Thales UK's revenues were over £1 bn.
Thales Group is a leading international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. Thales employs 60,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of £7 bn in 2006, with a record order book of over £14 bn.
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