Memorandum from Thales UK
1. INTRODUCTION—UAVS
IN ISTAR
Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) have a major contribution
to make to the aerial surveillance component of Intelligence,
Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.
UAVs:
— Do the "dull, dirty and
dangerous" jobs for which manned aircraft are not suitable.
— Have performance characteristics
unmatched, or not matched cost effectively, by manned aircraft
including persistence (the ability to stay on station for very
long periods of time), agility, and the ability to operate from
rudimentary take off and landing sites.
— Make small demands on manpower,
compared with manned aircraft.
— Are highly affordable and cost
effective.
The air vehicles themselves can be—by
comparison with manned aircraft—simple and flexible in design.
From Thales's own experience, now building up in operational theatres,
they can be highly survivable.
Whilst they offer similar or enhanced capability,
they tend to be small compared with manned aircraft (the smaller
the better, in general, in terms of survivability, flexibility
of operations and affordability), but this itself sets technical
challenges in terms of the weight and compactness of payloads.
This is one reason why the systems aspect of UAV systems is challenging
and important. A second reason is the importance of systems integration.
The air vehicle itself is part of an integrated system that includes
ground stations; and the integrated system itself needs to be
integrated in a system of systems with other sensors and systems
operating on the battlefield. At the level of tactical UAV systems,
which is where Thales has its principal experience, the air vehicle
component itself is a relatively small part of the total value
of the system provided.
The detailed answers to the Committee's questions,
below, draw principally on Thales's experience as the provider
of the WATCHKEEPER Tactical UAV system for battlefield reconnaissance,
and an interim system that is already in use in theatres of operations
in response to an Urgent Operational Requirement. The memorandum
aims to bring out, among other points, the significance of the
systems aspect (emphasised above), and also the importance of
an innovatory approach not only at the technical level but also
in terms of the commercial construct used to meet the MoD's requirements.
Above all it emphasises the vital contribution that UAVs make,
not in some futuristic scenario, but in operations that are real
today.
2. THALES UK—GLOBAL
UAV ISTAR SYSTEMS LEADER
Thales is a world leading international electronics
and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security
markets worldwide. The company is a prime contractor for the integration
of systems across a wide variety of platforms as well as a provider
of a wide range of communications and sensors technologies across
all domains. Thales' leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000
R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to
develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems.
The company's civil and military businesses work together to share
a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the
security of people, property and nations. Thales 2007 revenues
were in excess of £8.3 billion. In the UK, Thales employs
9,000 people, with revenues in 2007 of £1.3 billion.
Thales holds a key European position in the
provision of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and
Reconnaisance (ISTAR) systems, including those that are based
upon Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), as well as other ISTAR-related
capabilities including space surveillance, airborne radar systems
(eg for Nimrod MRA4 and Sea King Mk7) and electronic intelligence
systems. This understanding of the ISTAR domain led to the competitive
selection, in July 2004, of Thales as the prime contractor for
the UK WATCHKEEPER programme, currently the largest Tactical UAV
programme in Europe. This has placed the company in a leading
position to export UAV systems, a number of opportunities for
which are being pursued.
The WATCHKEEPER system will provide the UK armed
forces with a persistent Tactical UAV ISTAR capability for the
next 30 years. Thales adopted a "capability based" approach
to the programme which has been key in developing a solution which
will fully meet the MoD's requirements and, in doing so, has created
a significant UK industrial capability in the UAV systems domain,
placing Thales among the world leaders. This industrial capability
includes the ability to design and integrate the complex sensor
systems that equip the UAV, the development of the sophisticated
imagery analysis, dissemination and exploitation system, the manufacture
and support of the air vehicles themselves and the provision of
training services.
The programme has proceeded according to plan—without
slippage to the contract—and also provided an invaluable
UK knowledge base from which it was possible to deliver a major
Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to provide Tactical UAVs
to support current operations.
3. WHAT CONTRIBUTION
UAVS ARE MAKING
TO THE
MOD'S
CURRENT ISTAR CAPABILITY
It is clear to Thales that UAV systems are already
making a significant contribution to the MoD's current ISTAR capability
and that this impact is set to increase as additional sensor types
and capabilities are brought into service. UAVs are today performing
"dull, dirty, and dangerous" roles at all levels of
operations and are making a significant contribution to warfighting
and force protection.
In June 2007, Thales was awarded a UOR contract
by the UK MoD to provide UAV systems to support UK forces on current
operations and provide an urgently needed ISTAR capability for
UK forces. This UOR is being fulfilled by Thales through a highly
innovative service provision contract ("ISTAR by the hour")
and is today delivering high-quality imagery and image intelligence
to the Land Component Commander after having been brought into
service against a very aggressive timescale.
The contract includes the provision of Hermes
450 UAV systems, as well as training of the MoD staff in the use
and maintenance of the system, and the provision of Contractor
Logistic Support (CLS) and programme management services. This
work is being managed by a joint Thales-Elbit facility in Leicester,
which currently employs approximately 100 personnel and from which
the WATCHKEEPER System is being produced.
The UOR capability is being delivered in several
tranches. Thales' swift response enabled the first in-theatre
delivery to be achieved on 14 June 2007. First flight was on 20
June 2007 and Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was declared
on 5 July 2007. Since then, the Hermes 450 has been regularly
flying in support of operations, providing persistent ISTAR coverage,
delivering very high quality visual and IR imagery, day and night.
Within only two weeks of IOC, owing to the intensity
of operations, the UAV systems were called upon to provide consistent
and reliable ISTAR coverage over extended periods with only a
90-minute turn around time before returning to station. In theatre
Battery Commanders highlight Hermes 450 as delivering truly reliable
and stunning performance for our UK troops. The Hermes 450 ISTAR
capability allows immediate and rapid reaction to a threat, with
unmatched flexibility and minimum maintenance to support UK forces
in adverse conditions. It has made a considerable difference to
the UK capability. Since entering service in June 2007, the systems
have flown more than 7000 operational hours, with up to 100 hours
of continuous operations.
The capability delivers a mature, operationally
proven air vehicle (with a pedigree of over 90,000 flying hours),
long endurance and an extremely reliable UAV system with a high
performance day/night payload and low in-theatre personnel footprint.
Three types of UAV are currently being flown
to support operational UK missions: strategic, tactical and mini.
Together these offer a layered approach to ISTAR coverage. Thales
is the only UK-based provider of UAVs now offering UK operational
capability.
Key benefits from this Thales system include:
— rapid entry into service;
— a "step increase"
in dedicated ISTAR capability;
— enabling more efficient war
fighting through safer, more timely and clear situational awareness
for active operations;
— improved Force Protection and
Counter Fires leading to reduced numbers of UK casualties; and
— provision of key Intelligence
via a UK controlled communications infrastructure.
4. HOW THE
UAV PROCUREMENT PROGRAMMES
CURRENTLY BEING
RUN BY
THE MOD
ARE PROGRESSING
AND HOW
THE LESSONS
FROM THE
USE OF
UAVS ON CURRENT
OPERATIONS ARE
BEING REFLECTED
IN THESE
PROGRAMMES
Both the programmes described above are tightly
interlinked in that they draw lessons from each other. The air
vehicle for the UOR, the Hermes 450, is a predecessor of the WATCHKEEPER
air vehicle, and the UOR draws heavily on the knowledge of the
WATCHKEEPER team. The WATCHKEEPER programme has in turn drawn
a number of important lessons about training and deployment from
the UOR experience.
Today, the key to success in the battlefield
is to ensure that systems are integrated efficiently with a wide
range of users to enable decisions to be taken at the lowest appropriate
levels. The WATCHKEEPER system will provide this flexibility in
decision making in addition to filling the capability gap in Image
Intelligence. Additionally, the ground infrastructure, which is
the core element of the WATCHKEEPER system, is ideally suited
to provide the backbone of any future UAV system's data dissemination
and exploitation.
WATCHKEEPER will provide the operational commander
with a 24-hour, all weather, ISTAR capability supplying accurate,
timely and high quality imagery to support decision-making. The
system will consist of unmanned aerial vehicles, sensors, data
links and ground control stations. WATCHKEEPER is to be delivered
through an incremental programme to allow the system to benefit
from both existing and developing sensors and air vehicle technology.
Major project milestones completed to date include
the system design review in December 2005, the preliminary design
review in July 2006 and the critical design review in December
2006. The WATCHKEEPER programme is on track, with Thales meeting
the schedule for all the customer-agreed programme milestones
and, in 2007, unveiled the new WATCHKEEPER air vehicle as the
programme moves forward to manufacture and testing phase. The
most recent milestone was the successful first flight of the WATCHKEEPER
air vehicle, which took place on 16th April 2008. The programme
is on track for the planned in service date of 2010.
In 2005 the NAO report on driving the successful
delivery of major defence projects highlighted the WATCHKEEPER
programme as an example of gold standard best practice in the
client-contractor relationship.
Key elements of the Hermes 450 UOR solution
provide the basis for the WATCHKEEPER tactical intelligence system.
The Thales solution is underpinned by an extensive understanding
of UAV operations in general, and the Hermes 450 UAV capability
in particular, gained during the previous five years of the WATCHKEEPER
assessment phase. This knowledge base provided the company with
the confidence to offer a Hermes system to the UK and the company
is now utilising its growing expertise in this niche area and
is being asked to offer this capability to other allied nations.
The MoD has commented that the delivery of the
complex Hermes 450 UOR capability on schedule in just six months
has been an exciting challenge. The Hermes 450 UAV system augments
the MOD's current capability and significantly increases the intelligence
available for those members of our Armed Forces currently on deployment
around the world.
Key lessons have been learned as the WATCHKEEPER
programme has evolved particularly in system design, exploitation
and dissemination of information and operational training. These
lessons have enabled a step change in capability for the Hermes
450 deployment and a far better understanding of the concept of
ISTAR requirements for UAVs from a tactical viewpoint. Additional
lessons have been learned regarding the adaptability of UAVs and
their reliable persistence. UAV ISTAR coverage to Forward Air
Controllers has proved an essential tool in providing direct image
intelligence and Full Motion Video (FMV) via Remote Viewing Terminals
(RVT).
This innovative approach by Thales of an ISTAR
service provision not only provides a fast and effective solution
to an urgent operational need for persistent image intelligence
at the front-line but also supports the longer-term introduction
into service of the far more capable WATCHKEEPER system.
5. HOW THE
INFORMATION/INTELLIGENCE
COLLECTED FROM
CURRENT UAVS IS
USED AND
WHAT FACTORS
ARE LIMITING
THE MOST
EFFECTIVE USE
OF THIS
INFORMATION/INTELLIGENCE
(FOR EXAMPLE
THE SYSTEMS
WHICH PROCESS
AND DISSEMINATE
THE INFORMATION/INTELLIGENCE
COLLECTED)
The Hermes 450, provided by Thales under the
Tactical UAV UOR, is regularly flying in support of operations,
providing direct enhanced and persistent ISTAR coverage, delivering
very high quality visual and IR imagery, day and night direct
in theatre to ground forces. In the short time since it entered
service, the Hermes 450 has become an essential asset to the land
commanders in theatre. It provides Full Motion Video (FMV) and
intelligence information to UK Military Forces image analysts
and Forward Air Controllers via ground control stations and Remote
Viewing Terminals (RVTs).
MoD has provided indications from theatre that
the quality and utility of the Hermes 450 Tactical UAV System
are far in excess of what has been available previously. UAVs
are proving to be an absolutely essential battle-winning piece
of equipment. Despite the very high quality visual and IR imagery
working in a congested communications network, the system allows
the MoD Headquarters to communicate with the Ground Control Station
to effect in-flight re-tasking. As a result, the quality and stability
of the sensors provide a unique ISTAR capability in theatre. Hermes
450 is the FMV "platform of choice" in theatre and,
as a result, the system is currently providing the principal FMV
capability in the operational theatres. Additional systems have
now been delivered and operations in both theatres will "ramp
up" providing continuous ISTAR support to theatre troops
over a wide area.
ISTAR information is only as good as the bearers
of information and an effective information management, exploitation
and dissemination system is key. Thales experience indicates that
having as broad a user community as possible, supported by timely
and accessible information, is critical to the success of an ISTAR
system—and this is the basis of the system currently under
development for WATCHKEEPER. This capability is not currently
available to support current operations and there will be significant
operational benefits when a more widely available image reference
library and intelligence reference library are deployed as this
will result in the sharing of information across the UK Forces
through a networked ground infrastructure.
Thales believes that there is a strong value
for money argument for the WATCHKEEPER system to provide the basis
for the UK based NEC Ground Infrastructure exploitation and dissemination
capability as one of the key components to integrate the layered
manned and unmanned ISTAR collector systems across the different
layers of command for maximum UK Forces benefit.
6. WHETHER THE
MOD IS
EXPLOITING FULLY
THE ISTAR CAPABILITIES
OFFERED BY
UAVS (INCLUDING DRAWING
ON THE
EXPERIENCE OF
ITS ALLIES)
The Hermes 450 UAV UOR capability has highlighted
the significant demand for UAV ISTAR capability in operational
theatres. Although initial first generation UAVs were "stove
pipe" systems, the provision of the Hermes 450 Full Motion
Video (FMV) enhancements and access to down linked Remote Viewing
Terminals (RVTs) are now providing key ISTAR information to ground
forces in a timely and effective manner. This new capability allows
forward deployed troops to view imagery direct from the UAV, even
when closely engaged in battle. Following on from the UOR capability,
WATCHKEEPER will provide a further step change in ISTAR capability,
with more capable sensors (including synthetic aperture radars
and ground moving target indicators), improved operability through
automatic take off and landing and most importantly through the
ground information management infrastructure. Beyond this further
capability enhancements are envisaged and some of these new concepts
are now being considered actively by MoD.
Thales is supporting the assessment of these
future capabilities using "synthetic environment" suites
that have been developed through considerable private venture
investment by the company. These facilities provide a range of
capabilities that allow the evaluation of problems at a number
of levels of complexity, and are used by Thales both for internal
purposes and in partnership with the MoD community, including
joint UK operations and allied nations.
These facilities (the Thales ISTAR Battlelab
and the Group Operational Analysis Laboratory (GOAL)) provide
Joint industry/MoD experimentation to assess comparative benefits
(detail, coverage, timeliness, interpretation, and communication)
in the battlefield of the following assets and capabilities:
— alternative sensors and technologies;
— improved communication networks
enabled by UAV payloads;
— advanced image and data exploitation
packages;
— cross-cueing and integration
to effect systems;
— cross-cueing to other ISTAR
assets (manned and unmanned);
— utility vs distraction of ubiquitous
demands for Full Motion Video to all at all times;
— benefits/impact/penalties of
data link/Network bandwidth management by the use of Imagery on
Demand, variable data compression; and
— implementation of the WATCHKEEPER
wider Image Reference Library.
In order to support the MoD in its current and
future analysis of tactical UAV operations the GOAL facility is
being used extensively alongside current operational UAV experience
to develop and recommend future ISTAR capability requirements.
The Thales ISTAR Battlelab facility is a key
capability, allowing evaluation of many aspects of warfare across
all the Defence Lines of Development (DLODs) and it has provided
a significant contribution to the Thales WATCHKEEPER programme.
Thales, using the ISTAR Battlelab, has been involved in several
projects, including NITEWorks (Network Integration Test and Experimentation
works), JUEP (Joint UAV Experimentation Programme for UAV interoperability
with Maritime and ISTAR platforms) and Pre Deployment ISTAR Training
with 3 Commando Brigade and 12th Mechanised Brigade littoral warfare.
This involved a warfare experiment for the command support group
incorporating ISTAR planning, management, tasking, processing,
exploitation and distribution with all users in the loop whilst
providing essential UAV Concept of Operations (CONOPS) evolution
within the Thales Battlefield Transformation Centre (BTC).
With this facility Thales provides the UK MoD
and its Allies with the ability to access CONOPS, doctrine, training
needs, best practices and realistic operational scenarios for
UAVs in ISTAR. Thus, the UAV system has become a fundamental part
of the layered approach to ISTAR through placing the most appropriate
collection asset in the most appropriate area to support troops
on the ground. This cooperative and embracing approach with a
wide dissemination of information to all those that need it is
key to overall success in operations.
7. HOW THE
CURRENT AND
FUTURE ISTAR CAPABILITIES
OFFERED BY
THE UAVS ARE
INFORMING THE
MOD'S OVERALL
APPROACH/DIRECTION
RELATING TO
ISTAR
This question is for MoD not industry to answer
but just as Thales has learned a great deal about the capability,
operation, and support of UAV systems, and the management of their
lines of development including training, from experience so far,
we are confident that the same is true for MoD. Looking to future
systems, Thales has been extensively involved in paving the way
for future ISTAR capability through research and experimentation
activity including the Joint UAV Experimentation Programme described
above, the use of the Thales Battlelab and participation in NITEworks
(Network Integration Test and Experimentation Works), an ongoing
programme that enables MoD to assess the benefits of Network Enabled
Capability.
8. HOW THE
USE OF
UAVS, FOR TRAINING
AND ON
OPERATIONS, IMPACTS
ON AIRSPACE
AND AIR
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Thales fully recognises the importance of achieving,
safe, effective airspace management procedures and processes for
UAV systems. This is helped by Thales's role as Europe's largest
supplier of Air Traffic Management systems and equipment. Airspace
management is critical to not only the effective use of military
UAVs but also the potential for future civilian UAV usage.
For current UAV operations the UK MoD operate
a fully controlled airspace management capability. The Thales
Hermes 450 fits seamlessly into this environment under the control
of the System Mission Commander providing situation awareness
and Air Traffic co-ordination. For WATCHKEEPER a similar approach
will be adopted, with further advantages by providing enhanced
onboard Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication links with air
traffic control. The WATCHKEEPER system has a dedicated Tactical
Vehicle and Communications (TAC) party which can be embedded with
the Combined Air Operations Centre or higher headquarters to allow
WATCHKEEPER missions and a mission control to be closely coordinated
within an agreed airspace. The TAC party requests planned Airspace
access for airspace co-ordination in conjunction with other air
assets. This is a continuous approach as mission re tasking occurs.
With respect to operating UAVs in segregated
airspace, Thales is at the forefront of this activity and is providing
Synthetic Environment Training for UAV systems training outside
of the operational environment. This is in addition to the individual
operator training for UAV systems that may be contracted as part
of other programmes. Thales is also a leading player in technology
research and engagement with the regulatory authorities (eg CAA,
FAA, Eurocontrol, EASA and ICAO) for UAV flights in non-segregated
airspace.
Thales flew the Hermes 450 at ParcAberporth,
Wales, in September 2005. This marked the first time that a UAV
of this size had ever been flown in Civil and Military UK airspace.
This was a major step forwards for the UK, as until UAVs can be
operated in integrated airspace their uses within the homeland
security and civil domain will be limited. Through its UK pedigree
Thales is well placed to access this capability for homeland security
and civil market opportunities.
Thales is a key player in the UK ASTRAEA (Autonomous
Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment)
programme. This is a joint collaborative UK Government and Industry
initiative to establish the necessary technology, procedures and
regulations to enable the routine operation of UAVs in all classes
of airspace. ASTRAEA examines areas such as Sense and Avoid, Communications,
Mission Management, Adaptive Routing, Airworthiness Certification,
Decision Making and other Regulatory Aspects. Of those, Thales
leads the Sense & Avoid, Mission Management, Adaptive routing
strands and regulatory engagement for the consortium.
Current manned aircraft regulations assume the
presence of an on-board pilot and so ASTRAEA is investigating
and developing technology solutions to perform equivalent functional
performance while working with the regulators to interpret and
develop appropriate guidance and regulations.
Engagement of the wide stakeholder community
is being achieved by a combination of synthetic environment experimentation
and demonstration of potential technological solutions along side
review of regulatory guidance.
Integration of UAVs into non-segregated airspace
is a global issue and the programme is working with many international
agencies to co-ordinate activity with the ultimate aim of generating
agreed standards.
9. SUMMARY
Thales is a major global player in Aerospace,
Defence and Security Technology. Thales is also a world leader
in ISTAR systems, where particularly in the UK it is the leader
in UAV systems and technology as prime contractor for the MoD's
£700 million WATCHKEEPER programme (Europe's largest tactical
UAV programme).
The WATCHKEEPER programme will provide a network
enabled ISTAR capability through the integration of a sophisticated
suite of sensors, communications and imagery exploitation and
dissemination systems. WATCHKEEPER is on track for its In Service
Date of 2010. Thales believe that there is a strong value for
money argument for the WATCHKEEPER system to provide the basis
for the UK based NEC Ground Infrastructure exploitation and dissemination
capability.
In support of current operations, Thales is
again the prime contractor and, indeed, the only UK company to
have operational UAVs in service with the UK Armed Forces. Thales
is providing an innovative Service based procurement solution
using the Hermes 450 UAVs in Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, these
systems have flown 7,000 hours in theatre and is providing a step
change in ISTAR capability supporting UK troops in their missions.
Thales is also heavily involved in the future
development of the use of UAV systems in the UK, in particular
through the UK ASTRAEA programme which is taking forward the UAV
access to airspace and air traffic management.
Thales is making an essential contribution to
the UK's delivery of current operational UAVs, the UK's MoD WATCHKEEPER
programme and the development of military, homeland security and
civil UAV technologies. Thales is at the heart of UK ISTAR and
UAV systems capability.
25 April 2008
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