52. UAV Tactical Systems Ltd – United Kingdom
UAV Tactical Systems Ltd (U-TacS) is a joint venture between Elbit Systems UK (a subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems) and Thales UK.
Based in Leicester, UK, U-TacS was specifically created to deliver tactical unmanned air vehicle systems, primarily for the British Army and international markets.
The company specializes in the design, development, manufacture, and service provision of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities within the aerospace and defense sectors, with a strong focus on unmanned air systems.
U-TacS’ flagship product is the Watchkeeper WK450, a tactical UAV system developed for the British Army.
The Watchkeeper is based on Elbit’s Hermes 450, a battle-proven drone, and is designed for all-weather, dual-sensor operations, providing real-time aerial reconnaissance and target acquisition. It has seen extensive operational use in areas like Afghanistan and Iraq, amassing significant flight hours.
While the Watchkeeper program with the UK Ministry of Defence recently ended, U-TacS continues to offer the Watchkeeper X, an export variant, and is evolving into a center of excellence for tactical UAS technology, aiming to provide next-generation systems to the international market.
