Gladius Programme Updates

The battery module of the BSP-U system includes: A BSP (UAV) platoon consisting of six Waran vehicles (three command vehicles and three launcher vehicles), and Two BSP-U (UAV-strike) platoons, each equipped with one Waran-based command vehicle and four launcher vehicles. In total, the system comprises of five Waran vehicles in the command variant, and eleven Waran vehicles equipped with unmanned munitions launchers.

The structure also includes other vehicles mounted on Jelcz truck chassis: One command vehicle for the BSP-U battery module, one Mobile Analysis Station (mounted on a 6x6 vehicle), one Technical Support Vehicle (also 6x6), and seven ammunition vehicles (on Jelcz 8x8 trucks) for transporting reconnaissance and strike UAVs along with interchangeable payloads.

The ammunition and technical support vehicles have been ready for some time, drawing on designs created for other weapons systems: The ammunition vehicle was based on designs used for the Homar-A and Homar-K systems. Meanwhile, the technical support vehicle was modeled on the Artillery Weapon Repair Vehicle (AWRU) used in the Rak mortar module.

Ground Analysis Station

The Mobile Analysis Station has now been completed and certified for processing classified information up to the „secret” level. It is based on a heavily modified Jelcz chassis, with a container developed in collaboration with an international partner.   This solution features full certification. It has well-planned ergonomics. It also offers competitive pricing compared to other similar military systems.

The Mobile Analysis Stations have been tested and handed over to the Polish Armed Forces. They collect data from reconnaissance and command systems, generating actionable intelligence for commanders to make decisions on employing various artillery strike assets within an artillery brigade.

A new vehicle is under consideration, equipped with a multi-charger for servicing multiple UAVs simultaneously, an energy storage system and an electricity generator.

FT-5 SAR and FT-5 ELINT

The FT-5 reconnaissance drones are also evolving. In collaboration with Polish universities, a unique Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has been developed for the FT-5. This radar is lightweight, with a mass 50% lower than competing solutions. It is also compact when it comes to its form factor, tailored specifically for the FT-5’s capabilities.

As emphasized by WB Group’s executives, the radar was „developed for the UAV,” rather than designing a UAV to fit an existing off-the-shelf foreign radar. This approach allows the FT-5, in its imaging reconnaissance version, to be deployed with an aerial platform equipped with two types of sensors simultaneously: optoelectronic suite and SAR radar.

The FT-5 electronic reconnaissance (ELINT) version was also unveiled. This version has slightly lower technical parameters compared to the FT-5 SAR, as it uses an electric propulsion system (whereas the FT-5 SAR features hybrid propulsion). However, this UAV excels at detecting and processing enemy radio transmissions on board and can quickly provide location information to artillery batteries. This enables swift targeting and firing on the enemy before they can change their transmission position.

Representatives of WB Group announced that both versions of the FT-5 have been fully tested and delivered to the military as part of the Gladius program. The entire system, including software and hardware, was developed by WB Group, which retains full control over its design. It was also emphasized that the FT-5 meets all the requirements for a tactical short-range reconnaissance system known in Poland under the codename Orlik.

It’s worth noting that the development of Orlik was entrusted to a state-owned entity many years ago but has yet to result in a finished product. Despite several years of delays and spending approximately 800 million PLN from the state budget, deliveries to the contracting party have not begun. Meanwhile, WB Group has ideas for further development of the FT-5 family, including a sort of export version of Gladius, known as W2MPIR.