WATCHKEEPER Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle

SELEX Systems Integration is responsible for delivering the UK WATCHKEEPER Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (TUAV) through-life training solution as a part of the Thales UK WATCHKEEPER team.

Challenge

Following Thales UK winning the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) £800m WATCHKEEPER (TUAV) system, SELEX Systems Integration (then VEGA) signed a contract with Thales UK to deliver the through-life training solution for the programme. Under the contract, SELEX Systems Integration is responsible for managing the development and delivery of a training solution to meet the individual, team and collective training requirements of both operator and maintenance crews.

A Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) identified the requirement for a balance of real and synthetic learning to enable crews to successfully transfer from a training environment to the complex operating environment of the WATCHKEEPER system and ensure operators are competent in their roles.

The Work SELEX Systems Integration is doing

In line with the LNA, SELEX Systems Integration is using its desktop synthetic environment capability to support the development of a classroom and full task trainer environments.

The training solution employs real-time desktop simulation and image generation in a scalable synthetic environment. It features classroom-based instruction facilities, physical models for assembly and disassembly, and mock-up ground control stations, through which operators will learn to control simulated TUAVs and their on-board suite of imaging payloads.

To deliver performance, scalability and minimum differentiation between operational and training environments, SELEX Systems Integration has developed a generic software architecture that is integrating commercial off-the-shelf software products, bespoke simulators and Thales WATCHKEEPER operational software.

Value being delivered

WATCHKEEPER crews from 32 Regiment of the British Royal Artillery are now being trained at a dedicated facility in Larkhill. In addition to the original specifications, SELEX Systems Integration is now working alongside Thales and the UK MOD, to continue providing an agile and affordable training solution, and ensure training remains synchronised with the main programme’s future operational requirements.

Testimonial

Mark Smith, Thales Aerospace, Sub Contract Programme Manager, said: “The customer community has been very impressed with the quality of the work the WATCHKEEPER project has produced and were keen to get their hands on it and start training. This is clearly due to the hard work and dedication put in by the team. My thanks go to everyone involved.”