Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been used by military forces for many years. Today, new technologies and increased reliability mean that UAVs offer significant operational benefits, and governments across the globe are increasingly recognising the key future roles they could play in both the defence and civil spheres.
A major force in UAV systems in Europe
Thales' extensive experience and expertise in sensor technology and systems integration are key to the Group's position in UAV systems. From mini UAVs to the longer range MALE and HALE systems, the company has an in-depth understanding of key payload technologies and subsystems: imagery (optronic and radar), ESM, jamming, communications, navigation and Automatic Take Off & Landing Systems (ATOLS). In addition to this expertise Thales is an experienced systems integrator, and is also prime contractor for the Watchkeeper UAV programme.
Activity
In August 2005 Thales signed a €1bn prime contract to supply the Watchkeeper Tactical UAV System to the UK, an essential part of the UK's drive for Network Enabled Capability (NEC). Watchkeeper is currently the largest single UAV programme in Europe, and Thales is offering a scalable variant of the system to export customers.
Thales is an integral part of the ASTRAEA programme, which focuses on the technologies, systems, facilities and procedures that will allow autonomous vehicles to operate safely and routinely in the UK.
Thales achieved the first flight of a large UAV in UK airspace when it flew the Hermes 450 at ParcAberporth in September 2005.