The Elbit Systems Group 51%-owned U.K. subsidiary, U-TacS, was awarded a substantial contract for part of the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s (UK MOD) Watchkeeper program. The contract was awarded by Thales UK, the prime contractor for the Watchkeeper program, and is to be performed over an approximately eight-year period.

The Watchkeeper program will provide the U.K. Armed Forces with an essential Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability based on Elbit Systems’ Hermes® 450 UAV system and will be a key component of the U.K.’s Network Enabled Capability (NEC).  The program calls for the delivery of equipment, training and facilities, with the capability of coming into service starting in 2010.

Under the Watchkeeper program, the U.K. Armed Forces will be provided with all- weather day and night surveillance in times of war, tension or during peacekeeping operations without having to deploy troops into sensitive areas or dangerous situations.  The Watchkeeper system can provide continuous 24/7 surveillance, using unmanned air vehicles able to stay airborne for extended periods.

The Watchkeeper system consists of the WK450 unmanned air vehicle carrying a stabilized payload incorporating day/night sensors and laser target designator connected by a data link to a network of containerized ground control stations where operators will control the entire mission and interface within a network enabled environment.  High resolution optical and radar imagery will be exploited and disseminated to provide valuable intelligence for operational commanders. 
The system is capable of rapid deployment and operations anywhere in the world.