Polish loitering munition
| Warmate |
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 |
| Type | Loitering munition |
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| Place of origin | Poland |
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| Used by | NATO, Polish Armed Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Indian Armed Forces, Defence Forces of Georgia, Libyan National Army (from UAE), unspecified Middle-Eastern customer |
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| Wars | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
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| Manufacturer | WB Electronics |
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| Unit cost | $26,459.93 in 2017 (equivalent to $32,890 in 2023) |
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| Produced | 2016–current |
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| Mass | Empty: 4 kg (8.8 lb)
MTOW: 5.7 kg (13 lb) (Warmate), 30 kg (66 lb) (Warmate 2) |
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| Length | 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) |
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| Width | 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) |
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|
| Warhead | Warmate:
Training, HE-FRAG with 300g of TNT or HEAT (penetration 200–240mm of RHA)
Warmate 2:
Training, HE-FRAG, thermobaric FAE or HEAT (penetration 400mm of RHA) |
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| Warhead weight | Warmate:
1.4 kg (3.1 lb)
Warmate 2:
5 kg (11 lb) |
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|
| Engine | Electric motor |
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Operational
range | Warmate:
30 km (19 mi)
Warmate 2:
30–240 km (19–149 mi) |
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| Flight ceiling | 9,800 ft (3,000 m) AMSL |
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| Flight altitude | Warmate:
150–300 m (490–980 ft) AGL
Warmate 2:
100–200 m (330–660 ft) AGL |
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| Flight: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)
Attack: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn) |
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| Accuracy | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) CEP |
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WB Electronics Warmate is a class of loitering munition UAVs developed by the Polish defence contractor WB Group.[1] It can be equipped with several different payloads, including fragmentation, HEAT and thermobaric warheads[1] and has a swarming capability.[2]
Warmate entered into the initial production in 2016.[3]
Variants
Warmate-R
Warmate-R is an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) version based on the same fuselage and ground segment. It integrates 3 cameras to provide multiple views: an 8mm lens facing forward, and an 8mm and 12mm optics providing smooth tilting capabilities from a 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.[4]
Warmate-TL
Warmate-TL (Tube Launch) is a variant that can be launched from man-portable or vehicle-mounted tubular launchers and can be integrated with multiple different platforms such as ground vehicles, helicopters, or warships.[2]
"3.0" generation
The "3.0" generation of the Warmate system has been refined based on the inputs from customers and their combat experiences. The system is characterized by:[2]
- 30 km (19 mi; 16 nmi) radio range with control handover support for a total operational range of 80 km (50 mi; 43 nmi),
- 70 minute flight endurance,
- Warheads designed for better firepower against high-value targets, incl. persons and reconnaissance, communications and EW systems,
- Quiet[5] low-RPM engine that can be shut down during the engagement to avoid detection,
- Ability to fold the propeller blades in the final attack phase of flight,[5]
- Ability to operate in all weather conditions,
- Extra control surfaces on the wings for improved maneuverability, and
- Integration with other WB Electronics systems such as the FlyEye mini reconnaissance drone or Topaz battle management system.
Warmate 2
Warmate 2 is a newer, larger, and heavier version of the original Warmate drone to be launched from elastomeric vehicle-mounted launchers.[2]
This new model features an increased 30 kg (66 lb) maximum take-off weight[6] and heavier 5 kg (11 lb) high-explosive-fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive (FAE) and HEAT warheads designed to destroy armored vehicles, command outposts and other hardened targets.[2] The HEAT warhead is capable of penetration of 400mm of RHA.[6] The manufacturer promotes this variant as a viable alternative to anti-tank guided missiles, allowing for engagements at standoff distances, while also simplifying target acquisition.[5] The rest of the warheads has a 40 m (130 ft) fragmentation (HE) or implosion (FAE) effect.[6]
The radio range of Warmate 2 has been extended to 180 km (110 mi) for a total operational range of 30–240 km (19–149 mi), which translates to a 2 hour flight endurance. The flight altitude was lowered to 100–200 m (330–660 ft) for lower probability of intercept.[2]
The flight control is fully automatic with waypoint navigation, and an automatic video tracker with EO and thermal IR cameras allowing for all-weather operations and night combat.[6]
W2MPIR (Vampire) system
W2MPIR (Vampire; pol. Wielowarstwowy System Przełamania A2AD/Powietrzny Inteligentny Rój; transl. Multi-Layered A2AD Penetration System/Aerial Smart Swarm) is a system designed to breach the enemy's anti-access/area denial (A2AD) defenses and provide a cost-effective strike/reconnaissance capability to fulfill the suppression of enemy air/missile defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare (EW) missions.[2][7]
The system consists of assorted interoperable WB Electronics UAVs operating in a swarm, including the Warmate 3.0 and/or Warmate 2 loitering munitions, together with the FlyEye and FT-5 Łoś multi-role reconnaissance platforms capable of identification, location, and jamming of electronic sensors and radars.[2][7]
