MSPO, Poland, September 3, 2015 – WB Electronics and Thales unveiled today at Poland’s MSPO exhibition, their exclusive tactical unmanned aircraft system for the Polish Gryf requirement. The WB Electronics/Thales solution offers a capability that fully meets the Gryf requirements for an armed unmanned aircraft system, and delivers the capability through full Polish industrial collaboration.
Based on the combat-proven unarmed Watchkeeper system delivered to the British Army, the WB Electronics/Thales solution will integrate its surveillance capability with a strike capability of the Thales FreeFall Lightweight Multi-role Missile (FFLMM) together on a single platform.
Commanders can fully understand and exploit their environment using the high-performance Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability. In a fast changing environment, the solution can dynamically re-task to an effects-based capability allowing them to make faster, better informed decisions during critical target engagement.
Building on the partnership announced in July, the system will not only deliver the right capability, but will deliver the system through full partnership with the wider Polish industry. Polish industry has extensive expertise in building unmanned aircraft. Many Polish solutions, such as the FlyEye offered by the WB Group, are currently being used by the Polish Armed Forces.
Through this unique partnership, WB Electronics and Thales will be able to establish a sovereign capability for the Polish Armed forces. Critical technologies developed by Polish engineers could also be exported to other countries in the future.
“Thales is committed to delivering the right solution for Poland’s Gryf requirement. Of course, the solution is not just about meeting the capability needs but delivering the solution through collaboration with Polish industry. I look forward to fostering a close relationship with WB Electronics to ensure Poland fully benefits from its investment in unmanned aircraft systems,” said Pierre Eric Pommellet, Thales Executive Vice-President, Defence Mission Systems.
“Cooperation with Thales on project GRYF for the Polish army is the best demonstration, that Polish companies have the capacity and expertise to offer the most technologically advanced military systems on a global level. We also expect that as a result of the established close cooperation, our British partners can also expand their trade portfolio on systems designed and developed in the WB Group. Cooperation between our companies is also the best example, of development of European Defence Sector according to guidelines of European Commission,” commented Adam Bartosiewicz, WB Electronics VP.
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 61,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €13 billion in 2014. With over 20,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its unique international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.
To find out more please visit: www.thalesgroup.com
The leader of WB Group, which is the biggest Polish private producer and supplier of military electronics. WB Group employs over 800 people, of which approx. 50% work on research and development. WB Group includes the following entities: WB Electronics S.A., Radmor S.A., Flytronic Sp. z o.o., Arex Sp. z o.o. and MindMade Sp z o.o. WB Group is mainly known for the manufacture of innovative, reliable and battle-proven FONET communication systems and F@stNet family radio stations commonly used by artillery unit command and fire control systems ZZKO TOPAZ, modern FlyEye UAV systems, weaponry control systems and solutions for construction of SmartGrid systems. WB Group is a serious exporter of its own systems. The Group made consolidated revenues in 2014 of over PLN 200m.
