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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 £1.3Bn.
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 (e.g. 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. · 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 · 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 (e.g. 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 & 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 £700M 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 |