Thales Watchkeeper WK450
| Watchkeeper WK450 | |
|---|---|
| A Watchkeeper based at RAF Akrotiri | |
| General information | |
| Type | Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle |
| National origin | United Kingdom Israel |
| Manufacturer | Thales Group & Elbit Systems |
| Status | Out of service |
| Primary user | British Army |
| Number built | 54 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 30 November 2018 (full operational capability) |
| First flight | 14 April 2010 |
| Developed from | Elbit Hermes 450 |
| Variants | Watchkeeper X |
The Thales Watchkeeper WK450 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) formerly used by the British Army. It was developed by UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS), a joint venture of Elbit Systems UK and Thales UK, and is based on Elbit's Hermes 450.
The Watchkeeper entered full service in 2019, but was retired by March 2025, significantly before its earlier planned out-of-service date of 2042.