Successful maiden flight for UK unmanned air system
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A muilti-sensor, all-weather unmanned air system (UAS) that can remain airborne for over 16 hours in a single mission, has completed its maiden flight.
Thales' Watchkeeper UAS flew for the first time, taking off from dedicated facilities at Parc Aberporth in West Wales for a 20minute flight.
The UAS is the result of combined research between Thales and an MoD team. According to Thales, it is the first milestone in a long term programme to demonstrate that the Watchkeeper system meets the robust safety and airworthiness criteria required to fly unmanned air vehicles on ranges and segregated airspace in the UK.
The Watchkeeper system is designed to enable commanders to detect and track targets for many hours without the need to deploy troops into potentially sensitive or dangerous areas. The system is capable of rapid deployment and oper¬ations anywhere in the world and will support the information require¬ments of all three services.
Alex Dorrian, ceo of Thales UK, said: "This is a momentous accomplishment in the Watchkeeper programme and just one of a number of flight trials scheduled over the coming months. This milestone reflects the years of hard work by Thales UK, the MoD and other parties since the contract was signed.
"2010 is an important year for the programme as it will also see the opening of the Watchkeeper training facility based in Larkhill, and the continuation of the technical field trials at Parc Aberporth."
