Warmate | |
---|---|
Type | Loitering munition |
Place of origin | Poland |
Service history | |
Used by | NATO, Polish Armed Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Indian Armed Forces, Defence Forces of Georgia, Libyan National Army (from UAE), unspecified Middle-Eastern customer |
Wars | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | WB Electronics |
Unit cost | $26,459.93 in 2017(equivalent to $31,590 in 2022) |
Produced | 2016–current |
Specifications | |
Mass | Empty: 4 kg (8.8 lb) MTOW: 5.7 kg (13 lb) (Warmate), 30 kg (66 lb) (Warmate 2) |
Length | 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) |
Width | 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) |
Warhead | Warmate: 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 weight | Warmate: 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 ceiling | 9,800 ft (3,000 m) AMSL |
Flight altitude | Warmate: 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) |
Accuracy | 1.5 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]
Warmate entered into the initial production in 2016. [3]
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 (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]
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 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; 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]
Flight modes
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