WB Electronics Warmate

Last updated
Warmate
MSPO23 Warmate.jpg
Type Loitering munition
Place of originFlag of Poland.svg  Poland
Service history
Used bySee Operators
Wars Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Manufacturer WB Electronics
Unit cost$26,459.93 in 2017(equivalent to $32,890 in 2023)
Produced2016current
Specifications
MassEmpty: 4 kg (8.8 lb)
MTOW: 5.7 kg (13 lb) (Warmate), 30 kg (66 lb) (Warmate 2)
Length1.1 m (3 ft 7 in)
Width1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)

WarheadWarmate:
Training, HE-FRAG with 300g of TNT or HEAT (penetration 200–240mm of RHA)
Warmate 2:
Training, HE-FRAG, thermobaric FAE or HEAT (penetration 400mm of RHA)
Warhead weightWarmate:
1.4 kg (3.1 lb)
Warmate 2:
5 kg (11 lb)

Engine Electric motor
Operational
range
Warmate:
30 km (19 mi)
Warmate 2:
30–240 km (19–149 mi)
Flight ceiling9,800 ft (3,000 m) AMSL
Flight altitudeWarmate:
150–300 m (490–980 ft) AGL
Warmate 2:
100–200 m (330–660 ft) AGL
Maximum speed Flight: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)
Attack: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
Accuracy1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) CEP

WB Electronics Warmate is a class of loitering munition UAVs developed by the Polish defence contractor WB Group. [1] It can be equipped with several different payloads, including fragmentation, HEAT and thermobaric warheads [1] and has a swarming capability. [2]

Contents

Warmate entered into the initial production in 2016. [3]

Variants

Warmate-R

Warmate-R is an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) version based on the same fuselage and ground segment. It integrates 3 cameras to provide multiple views: an 8mm lens facing forward, and an 8mm and 12mm optics providing smooth tilting capabilities from a downward position (0 deg) to one side (90 deg). It can be equipped with daylight or thermal cameras with remote pan and tilt, as well as a laser target designator. It has a "Target Lock" mode for tracking moving targets and enables accurate target location data. [4]

Warmate-TL

Warmate-TL (Tube Launch) is a variant that can be launched from man-portable or vehicle-mounted tubular launchers and can be integrated with multiple different platforms such as ground vehicles, helicopters, or warships. [2]

"3.0" generation

The "3.0" generation of the Warmate system has been refined based on the inputs from customers and their combat experiences. The system is characterized by: [2]

Warmate 2

Warmate 2 is a newer, larger, and heavier version of the original Warmate drone to be launched from elastomeric vehicle-mounted launchers. [2]

This new model features an increased 30 kg (66 lb) maximum take-off weight [6] and heavier 5 kg (11 lb) high-explosive-fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive (FAE) and HEAT warheads designed to destroy armored vehicles, command outposts and other hardened targets. [2] The HEAT warhead is capable of penetration of 400mm of RHA. [6] The manufacturer promotes this variant as a viable alternative to anti-tank guided missiles, allowing for engagements at standoff distances, while also simplifying target acquisition. [5] The rest of the warheads has a 40 m (130 ft) fragmentation (HE) or implosion (FAE) effect. [6]

The radio range of Warmate 2 has been extended to 180 km (110 mi) for a total operational range of 30–240 km (19–149 mi), which translates to a 2 hour flight endurance. The flight altitude was lowered to 100–200 m (330–660 ft) for lower probability of intercept. [2]

The flight control is fully automatic with waypoint navigation, and an automatic video tracker with EO and thermal IR cameras allowing for all-weather operations and night combat. [6]

W2MPIR (Vampire) system

W2MPIR (Vampire; pol. Wielowarstwowy System Przełamania A2AD/Powietrzny Inteligentny Rój; transl.Multi-Layered A2AD Penetration System/Aerial Smart Swarm) is a system designed to breach the enemy's anti-access/area denial (A2AD) defenses and provide a cost-effective strike/reconnaissance capability to fulfill the suppression of enemy air/missile defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare (EW) missions. [2] [7]

The system consists of assorted interoperable WB Electronics UAVs operating in a swarm, including the Warmate 3.0 and/or Warmate 2 loitering munitions, together with the FlyEye and FT-5 Łoś multi-role reconnaissance platforms capable of identification, location, and jamming of electronic sensors and radars. [2] [7]

Operators

Current operators

Future operators

Specifications

Warmate

Flight modes

Warmate R

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References

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