Thales Watchkeeper UAS Cleared For British Army Service

The British Army's Watchkeeper unmanned aerial system in flight over the UK during testing  [Picture: Richard Seymour, Thales UK] ...

The British Army's Watchkeeper unmanned aerial system in flight over the UK during testing  [Picture: Richard Seymour, Thales UK]

Next generation Thales Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developed for British Army, has been approved by UK Defence Ministry to be flown by Army pilots. Watchkeeper is the first UAS to be awarded a full Release To Service (RTS) in Britain.


The RTS follows rigorous safety and airworthiness reviews to ensure the system can be operated safely. Watchkeeper will provide UK troops with life-saving surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence improving situational awareness.

 British Army's 1st Artillery Brigade pilots will now be trained to fly Watchkeeper in a restricted airspace over the Salisbury Plain Training Area. The flights, which will take place between 8,000 and 16,000 feet, will be overseen by military air traffic controllers.

 Since its first UK flight in 2010 by Thales UK, Watchkeeper, has completed over 600 flying hours from West Wales Airport. Watchkeeper is a high-performance, multi-sensor, all-weather UAS that can remain airborne for more than 16 hours in a single mission.

 Watchkeeper is certified to the same safety standard as manned aircraft. Watchkeeper is the first unmanned aerial system developed and built in the UK to become operational.