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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Loitering munition |
| Place of origin |  Poland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | WB Electronics |
| Unit cost | $26,459.93 in 2017 (equivalent to $32,890 in 2023) |
| 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 |
Warmate entered into the initial production in 2016.[3]
Variants
editWarmate-R
editWarmate-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
editWarmate-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
editThe "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]
- 30 km (19 mi; 16 nmi) radio range with control handover support for a total operational range of 80 km (50 mi; 43 nmi),
- 70 minute flight endurance,
- Warheads designed for better firepower against high-value targets, incl. persons and reconnaissance, communications and EW systems,
- Quiet[5] low-RPM engine that can be shut down during the engagement to avoid detection,
- Ability to fold the propeller blades in the final attack phase of flight,[5]
- Ability to operate in all weather conditions,
- Extra control surfaces on the wings for improved maneuverability, and
- Integration with other WB Electronics systems such as the FlyEye mini reconnaissance drone or Topaz battle management system.
Warmate 2
editWarmate 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
editW2MPIR (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
editCurrent operators
edit
NATO – unspecified NATO member[8]
Poland – at least 10 systems with 100 units delivered to the NIL commando unit (part of the Polish Special Forces) and then the Territorial Defence Force.
Ukraine – Ukraine has received several units of the Warmate drones as part of Poland's military assistance in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This includes both the inter-government arms transfers and private fundraisers.[9] Similar private fundraisers had been organized in other countries such as Lithuania, to support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.[5]
United Arab Emirates[citation needed]
India – 100 units[10]
Georgia – produced domestically by Delta-WB LTD joint venture.[11][12]
Libya – acquired by the United Arab Emirates for the Libyan National Army in 2020.[13]- Unspecified Middle-Eastern operator.[14]
Future operators
edit
South Korea – Ten sets with nearly two hundred Warmate 3 strike systems in combat and training variants were ordered.[15] The first batch will be delivered to the drone operations command of the ROK Armed Forces in December 2024.[16]
Specifications
editWarmate
edit- Length: 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: ~ 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
- Empty weight: 4 kilograms (8.8 lb)
- Payload weight: 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb)
- Max take-off weight: 5.7 kilograms (12.6 lb)
- Cruise airspeed: 80 km/h (50 mph; 43 kn)[1]
- Max horizontal speed: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)[17]
- Max attack airspeed: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
- Range: 30 kilometres (19 mi; 16 nmi)
- Endurance: 60 minutes
- Cruise altitude: 150 to 300 metres (500 to 1,000 ft) AGL
- Flight ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) AMSL
- Warhead: Training, HE-FRAG with 300g of TNT or HEAT (penetration 200–240mm against RHA)
- CEP: 1.5m
- Propulsion: Electric motor
Flight modes
- AUTO: follows a pre-programmed route.[17]
- HOLD: orbits a point over the ground.
- FLY TO: fly to the selected point with a stable altitude.
- CRUISE: keep a particular altitude and flight direction, semi-manual control supported by autopilot in the camera direction.
- SEARCH: slow diving flight necessary for proper target selection.[18]
- ATTACK: initiates the strike. The automated video tracker allows for a precise target hit even after the loss of communication.
Warmate R
edit- Range: 15 km (9.3 mi)[4]
- Endurance: 80 minutes
- Weight: 5.2 kilograms (11 lb)
- Operation ceiling: 500 m (1,600 ft)
References
edit- ^ a b c "WARMATE loitering munitions". Archived from the original on 2022-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "WB Group's Smart Swarm: Against the A2/AD Systems". defence24.com (in Polish). 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ Glowacki, Bartosz (28 April 2016). "Warmate expendable UAV in production for two customers". flightglobal.com. DVV Media Group. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ a b "WARMATE R Loitering Reconnaissance System". Archived from the original on 2022-06-27.
- ^ a b c d "Lithuania to hand over Warmate kamikaze drones to Ukraine in October-November". Militarnyi. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ a b c d "Loitering Munitions System / WARMATE 2" (PDF). WB Group. 2018-09-03. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ a b "SWARM System". WB GROUP. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "MON kupuje WarmateTekst pochodzi z Magazynu Militarnego MILMAG. Przeczytaj więcej" [Ministry of National Defense buys Warmate]. www.MilMag.pl (in Polish). 2017.
- ^ "Polacy kupili bojowe drony dla Ukrainy" [The Polish had bought combat drones for Ukraine]. defence24.pl (in Polish). Defence24. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Polska amunicja krążąca "zdobywa" Indie". 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Defense Forces of Georgia Received UAVs Produced in Georgia and American Radars". mod.gov.ge. Ministry of Defence of Georgia. 2023-12-14.
- ^ "WB GROUP unmanned systems for Georgia". 18 May 2022.
- ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (23 March 2021). "Tracking Arms Transfers By The UAE, Russia, Jordan And Egypt To The Libyan National Army Since 2014". Oryx Blog.
- ^ "Warmate w Libii" [Warmate in Libya]. www.altair.com.pl (in Polish). 2020.
- ^ Defence24 (2024-10-02). "Polska firma z koreańskim kontraktem". defence24.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-10-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Son Hyo-joo (3 October 2024). "軍, 폴란드산 자폭 드론 구매 계약… 北 위협에 맞불". The Dong-A Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ a b "WARMATE Loitering Munitions System" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-07-20.
- ^ "Warmate TL". Archived from the original on 2022-07-20.
External links
edit- Warmate WB Group website
- Warmate: Polish Loitering Munition. “Two Export Agreements Have Been Already Signed”
- (in Polish) Mariusz Cielma, Warmate - nowy powietrzny środek wsparcia ogniowego, „Nowa Technika Wojskowa”, nr 5 (2016), s. 92–95, ISSN 1230-1655.
- (in Polish) Bartosz Głowacki, Uniwersalny towarzysz broni, „Rapot”, nr 5 (2016), s. 24–28, ISSN 1429-270X.
- (in English) Manufacturer's webpage