Warmate
Role Loitering Munition
Manufacturer WB Electronics
Status In-service
Primary user Polish Army

WB Electronics Warmate is a micro loitering munition developed by Polish defence contractor WB Group, entering into initial production in 2016.[1] Warmate is in service with the Polish Army, which has ordered 1000 units (orders were put on hold after receiving only 100 units). It can be equipped with several different payloads, including fragmentation, HEAT and thermobaric warheads and has a swarming capability.

There is also Warmate-R, a reconnaissance version based on the same fuselage and ground segment. It integrates 3 cameras to provide multiple views: a 8mm lens facing forward, and a 8mm and 12mm optics providing smooth tilting capabilities from 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.[2]

Another variant, Warmate-TL, can be launched from a man-portable or vehicle-mounted tubular launchers.

Specs and capabilities

Warmate

  • Cruise airspeed: 80 km/h (50 mph; 43 kn)[3]
  • Max horizontal speed: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)[4]
  • Max attack airspeed: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
  • Cruise altitude: 150 to 300 metres (500 to 1,000 ft) AGL
  • Ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) AMSL
  • Range: 30 kilometres (19 mi; 16 nmi)
  • Endurance: 60 minutes
  • 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)
  • Length: 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: ~ 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
  • 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.[4]
  • HOLD: orbits a point over the ground.
  • FLY TO: fly to selected point with 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.[5]
  • ATTACK: initiates the strike. The automated videotracker allows for a precise target hit even after the loss of communication.

Warmate R

  • Range: 15 km (9.3 mi)[2]
  • Endurance: 80 minutes
  • Weight: 5.2 kilograms (11 lb)
  • Operation ceiling: 500 m (1,600 ft)

Operators

References

  1. Glowacki, Bartosz (28 April 2016). "Warmate expendable UAV in production for two customers". flightglobal.com. DVV Media Group. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 "WARMATE R Loitering Reconnaissance System". Archived from the original on 2022-06-27.
  3. "WARMATE loitering munitions". Archived from the original on 2022-07-20.
  4. 1 2 "WARMATE Loitering Munitions System" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-07-20.
  5. "Warmate TL". Archived from the original on 2022-07-20.
  6. "Polska amunicja krążąca "zdobywa" Indie". 20 June 2022.
  7. 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.
  8. , MilMag, 2017
  9. , Altair, 2020


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