The British Army’s most farsighted eye in the sky has taken flight in the skies of Estonia. The Watchkeeper Uncrewed Air System (UAS), flown by 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, has had a recent upgrade of the sensors it uses when flying intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
Over sixty soldiers from 43 Battery (Lloyd’s Company), who are based in Wiltshire, deployed on Exercise Athena Shield to test the Watchkeeper in the unfamiliar environment of Estonia.
The training involved working with Estonian military and civilian authorities to plan and execute flying operations in different weather conditions. The flights also included conducting airspace deconfliction and interoperability with the Estonian Control and Reporting Centre, part of NATO’s air defence system to monitor airspace across the Baltic region.
The Watchkeeper is fitted with radar technology and a ground movement target indicator that can detect movement across thousands of square kilometres.
It has day and night cameras that can be networked to senior commanders, analysts, and troops on the ground and a laser pointer enables soldiers equipped with night vision technology to see what the Watchkeeper sees.
Soldiers and Officers across the Regiment take up four main roles when manning the drone:
- Aircrew – pilots and mission controllers, supported by Image Analysts from the Intelligence Corps, work together to fly the aircraft, and secure any reconnaissance needed.
A simulator is used to train all pilots ahead of live flying. Once qualified the soldiers earn the Army Watchkeeper Pilot wings to wear on their uniform. - Groundcrew – they oversee launching, preparation and recovery of the airframe from a range of runways.
- Engineers – aviation engineers from Royal Electrical and Mechanical engineers who maintain the Watchkeeper system.
- Support staff – specialist flight operations, logistics and administrative personnel provide ongoing support including sustainment of the deployed forces.
British Army Watchkeeper from Larkhill, Wiltshire deploys to Estonia on Exercise Athena Shield
Colonel Richard Ball, Commander of the British Army’s Uncrewed Air Systems Group, said:
“Exercise Athena Shield has proven a number of key assumptions for the Army’s Watchkeeper Regiment. Working alongside our Estonian colleagues has been a great experience and many lessons have been learnt in the planning of flying operations in country. It has also demonstrated the Army’s commitment to supporting the Estonian Defence Force and securing NATO’s Eastern Flank.
It has demonstrated the ability to deploy at relatively short notice to a new flying location overseas, conduct planning with the host nation, as well as operating the newly upgraded system.
It has also shown the utility of the platform to perform the Army’s Land Tactical Deep Find role which provides a vital capability contribution to the 3rd United Kingdom Division in its war fighting role.
Working alongside our Estonian colleagues has been a great experience and many lessons have been learnt in the planning of flying operations in country. It has also demonstrated the Army’s commitment to supporting the Estonian Defence Force and securing NATO’s Eastern Flank.”
Source: British Army