ABSL selected for WATCHKEEPER UAV emergency battery pack
05th December 2007
ABSL Power Solutions Ltd (ABSL) has been selected to provide the emergency backup battery for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programme – WATCHKEEPER – under prime contractor Thales UK with Elbit Systems as a significant part of the Thales team.
The contract comprises a funded programme to develop and supply production unit battery packs that will provide back up electrical power to the WATCHKEEPER air vehicle, which is based on Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 UAV.
The high-energy, high-power 28.5Ah lithium-ion battery pack will be developed over the forthcoming months, with production commencing at the end of 2008. In emergencies the battery packs will power the avionics and the flight control mechanisms to allow the UAV to be controlled and flown.
ABSL, based in Thurso, UK, was chosen to supply the emergency battery pack due to its long-term relationship with the UK MoD, providing power solutions on other military programmes and its ability to offer the UK MoD security of supply as well as providing a power source that offers compatibility with in-service systems such as the Bowman Battlefield Communications System and the associated charging infrastructures.
ABSL Sales & Marketing Director, Peter Cooper says: “This is a key milestone for ABSL in growing our business from the sea and land unmanned vehicles into the air sector. We will apply our considerable expertise in supplying emergency backup batteries to ensure the system provided for WATCHKEEPER is optimised to allow the highest performance.”
ABSL is a key supplier to UK MoD, designing and manufacturing world leading portable power systems in the UK since 2001. The company currently supplies the batteries and chargers for the UK MoD‘s Bowman Battlefield Communications System, and has global experience in supplying power solutions for remote unmanned systems such as Man Transportable Robotic Systems, which are used in armed, explosive ordnance disposal, perimeter surveillance and chemical detection remotely operated vehicles applications, as well as large autonomous underwater systems used for seabed scanning, mine neutralisation and geological surveying.
Details of all ABSL products can be found at http://www.abslpower.com/.
-ENDS-
Media Information
For media information please contact:
- Suteja Rao T: +44 (0)7968 707 657 E:
- Peter Cooper T: +44 (0)7968 707 616 E:
Notes to Editors:
ABSL Power Solutions
“ABSL Power Solutions Limited” (ABSL) (formerly AEA Technology Battery Systems Limited) was incorporated in October 2005 following a change in ownership.
ABSL designs, develops and manufactures advanced portable power systems for the markets where performance and reliability are critical. ABSL combines intelligent rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries with innovative charging solutions and power management hardware and software to create sophisticated power solutions.
ABSL provides portable power solutions for a range of applications including defence programmes including dismounted soldier systems, tactical communications systems and remote unmanned systems. Applications encompass handheld and manpack radios, rugged portable computers and data terminals, encryption devices, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), thermal weapon sights, helmet-mounted/head-up tactical displays, and GPS navigation systems. In non-defence markets, applications include satellites and space launch vehicles, search & rescue equipment, and mobile LCD screens.
ABSL’s experience includes work as portable power systems supplier to General Dynamics UK for the UK MoD’s Bowman Battlefield Communications system and the Dutch Marines New Integrated Marines Communications and Information System (NIMCIS) programme as well as working with Thales Optronics as power systems provider for the UK MoD’s Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) assessment phase.
ABSL employs 150 people across three sites in the UK: headquarters and battery manufacturing takes place in Thurso, Caithness; Charger assembly and product development is located in Glengarnock, Ayrshire; and space batteries and optical equipment are produced Culham, Oxfordshire. ABSL has also recently expanded into the USA where it has two bases.
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. 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. To this end, the group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with forecast 2007 revenues in excess of €12 billion.
Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. Thales employs 9,000 staff in the UK, based at more than 50 locations. In 2006 Thales UK’s revenues were over £1 bn.
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defence electronics company engaged in a wide range of defence-related programs throughout the world. The Elbit Systems Group, which includes the company and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data links and military communications systems and radios. The Group also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defence, homeland security and commercial aviation applications.
About Watchkeeper
Thales UK is Prime Contractor for the UK MoD’s Watchkeeper programme. Watchkeeper is the largest UAV programme in Europe, providing unrivalled capability in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR).
Thales provides a range of capabilities from prime contractorship for complete systems, to sub-systems supplier, offering a full spectrum of critical subsystems, including data links, radar, optical and electromagnetic payloads, and automatic take-off and landing systems.
Drawing on its understanding of operational requirements, mature technologies, simulation tools and techniques, and experience with manned aircraft of all types, Thales is in an ideal position to design complete UAV-based ISTAR systems.
Press Contacts:
Thales UK
Kathryn Bell
Tel: +44 (0)1932 824832
Mob: +44 (0)7813 903274
Email:
www.thalesgroup.co.uk
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