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 with also thousands in use with the other branches of the Polish armed forces.
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